Carving Carved Dancing Figure (Oolalla, Ulala)

Item number E89039-0 from the National Museum of Natural History.

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Notes

From card: "Figure or skeleton of 'Oolalla', a fearful looking thing. Made to be drawn across the lodge during ceremonials and to throw its arms in various shapes to terrify beholders. Taken apart after the ceremonies are over and not refitted till another performance when they are refitted and painted." Swan's descriptive catalogue." Illustrated: USNM Annual Report for 1895, Fig. 204, p. 653, identified there as "Wood carving representing the Olala." On p. 653 of this publication it is noted about 89038, 89039, 89072 and 89073: "In his dances the olala of all the northern tribes use headdresses which represent a corpse..."