Figure

Item number 1885.66.16 from the MAA: University of Cambridge.

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Data
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Description

Wooden figure with head threaded with hair. Two projections on soles of feet for standing figure upright on stand. The right arm is moveable and the hand has a hole through it asthough objects were gripped.; Good

Context

On the rear of the figure, written in ink, in what is presumably Hepburn' s handwriting is Devastation Sound, B.C. The figure was probably a shaman' s spirit helper and was manipulated during shamanic rituals. The spirit helpers are characterised by unkempt hair and a wild vitality reminiscent of the shamans themselves.Illness was thought to be brought about by malevolent supernatural beings who stole the souls of their victims and cast harmful spells. The Northwest Coast shaman sought to restore the social order disrupted by the supernaturally caused illness. The shaman resorted to supernatural remedies and manipulated his power through a variety of paraphernalia, such as rattles, spirit figures (Z 14856) and masks (E 1911.25 26), and soul catchers (1885.66.22) in order to retrieve the lost human soul.; Exhibited: Old Anthropological display at CUMAA, dismantled 20081986. New Anthropological displays at CUMAA, wall case, 1990-. Collected by: Hepburn.J.E