Mask Item Number: A4286 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Dzunuk'wa mask.Humanoid mask with grooved forehead and cheeks. Deep set U-shaped eyes and pursed mouth. Painted black, red and white. Cording attached at the back.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents wild woman of the woods, Dzunuk'wa, who captured a man at R.I.C Lake, Rivers Inlet. She put him into her basket, but the man escaped, taking the basket with him back to his village. There he placed it on top of a tall spruce tree, then chopped off the branches, so no one could climb the tree to get the basket. For four nights, the villagers could not sleep, as over 100 dzunuq!wa came to try to retrieve the basket. Finally another dzunuq!wa was called across the lake. This creature came walking across the water. When the dzunuq!wa reached the tree, he became as tall as the tree, took the basket and returned home (E. Walkus, 1953).
Item History
- Made by Charlie George Jr. (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada during 1938
- Collected in Smith Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Takus, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Chief Edward Walkus before May 15, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Chief Edward Walkus (Seller) on May 15, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Creator
- Charlie George Jr. (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Chief Edward Walkus
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Chief Edward Walkus (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Smith Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Takus, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1938
- Ownership Date
- before May 15, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on May 15, 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 41
- Accession Number
- 1973/0001