Thunderbird Leggings

Item number 863/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

A pair of red wooden foot coverings attached to fabric leggings decorated with animal fur and feathers. The boots are made of three pieces of wood and held together by cord. The two side pieces have a total of four protruding claws, three on the front and one on the back. The bottom piece of wood is shaped like a fish with a fin on the heel and painted in red, green and black. The white fabric leggings have a waffle texture, a thin waist band and are attached to the inside of the boots. The leggings have animal fur attached around the waist and each leg. Feathers are sewn onto the leggings all over.

History Of Use

Thunderbird dance regalia (see four parts 863/1-4); worn in the dance displaying Hunt's inherited Thunderbird privileges.

Iconographic Meaning

The story of Thunderbird: "The Great Chief Namoquayalis, 'The Only One,' lived in the highest mountain, called Klaskis, near Cape Cook. At one time a flood threatened to engulf the world. Then lightning flashed four times, and a Thunderbird transformed himself into a human being and came to the rescue of the Great Chief. The Great Chief then asked the Thunderbird to go look around the land for any survivors of the flood. The Thunderbird returned and told him that he had found some human survivors. So the Great Chief told the Thunderbird to go and invite these people to come and witness a Thunderbird dance. This dance and the Thunderbird privileges have been passed down from generation to generation of the Great Chief’s family." [From a narration by Emma Hunt, 1975.]

Narrative

Calvin Hunt received the rights to the Thunderbird crest, legends, and regalia, along with other names and crests, from his parents Emma Hunt and Chief Thomas Hunt at a 1975 family potlatch. This regalia is one of several sets he has made and danced; it was commissioned by the Museum of Anthropology in 1982. The regalia was borrowed back by Hunt in 1984, 1987 and 1988 to be danced at Kwak'waka'wakw potlatches.

Item History

Made by Calvin Hunt (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada during October 1982
Owned by Calvin Hunt before October 17, 1982
Received from Calvin Hunt (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on October 17, 1982

What

Name: Thunderbird Leggings
Identification Number: 863/4
Type of Item: legging
Material: skin, wood, paint, feather, dye, cotton fibre ?, plastic and synthetic fibre
Overall: height 98.0 cm, width 45.0 cm, depth 44.0 cm