Mask Item Number: A6342 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Small mask with cedar bark fringe. The mask is painted with black hair, small black eyebrows on a white forehead, white around the eyes and on the nose, and red nostrils. The remainder of the face is painted in red, and red lines forming a part of the lower part surround the white around the eyes. The mouth is slightly open. Green cord attached at the reverse.
History Of Use
Mother Giving Birth mask; used in the atłaamł dance series. Grouse calls the woman, who comes out dancing; then she crouches down by the fire and two masked children (boy and girl) appear from under the mother's blanket and proceed to dance with her and another woman representing the midwife.
Iconographic Meaning
Woman giving birth, mama'yulalaga. (A6343 may represent one of her children.)
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1953
- Collected in Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Alice Mountain before December 22, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Alice Mountain (Seller) on December 22, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Alice Mountain
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Alice Mountain (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Ownership Date
- before December 22, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on December 22, 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 24
- Accession Number
- 2013/0006