Ceremonial Sword Item Number: A6165 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Ceremonial fool dancer sword. Painted on both sides with long, flat, upward and backward curving fin-like projection, a rounded angular head, and a handle that is square in cross section. The black eyes are circle in circle surrounded by a tapering oval and a green area with black brows above. The nostrils are red. The open black mouth shows ten red upper teeth. The fin-like projection has an inverted red u form that has a vertical white ovoid within and white space in between, an inverted white and red u form, a horizontal white outlined red ovoid, and a black split u with white space in between at the tip.
History Of Use
Used by the Nułamała (Fool) dancers to help enforce the laws and proper etiquette of the winter ceremonies during the Hamat'sa ceremony.
Iconographic Meaning
Daniel Cranmer called this a Winalagalis warrior sword (1953). Winalagalis is a Kwakwaka'wakw war god. He comes from North (underworld) to winter with the Kwakwaka'wakw, and is the bringer and ruler of the Tseka (Winter Ceremonial). According to Boas, he is associated with the Tuxwid, Hawinalal, and Ma'maka dances.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in 'Yalis (Alert Bay), British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Daniel E. Cranmer before July 10, 1953
- Received from Daniel E. Cranmer (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on July 10, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Daniel E. Cranmer
- Received from
- Daniel E. Cranmer (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- 'Yalis (Alert Bay), British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before July 10, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on July 10, 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 35
- Accession Number
- 1958/0002