Dzunuk'wa Mask Item Number: A4034 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Chief's mask. Black Dzunuk’wa mask with recessed eye sockets, small eyes, a hooked nose and protruding lips. Deeply carved. Long tufts of human hair around the crown. Eye sockets are painted green; facial features are painted red. Reverse is painted red. Cording and leather straps attached to the back.
History Of Use
Used when giving gifts or cutting a copper (J. Dick, 1966). The most important right of the Dzunuk'wa, is when Kwakwaka’wakw Chiefs wear a special form of the creature - the Gi’kamł or Chief’s Mask. At the end of required potlatch obligations, to complete a hereditary Chief’s role, the Chief will put on the family’s crest representing a male Dzunuk'wa mask called Gi’kamł. It is with this mask that hereditary Chiefs don the Gi’kamł and carry out the intense ceremony of “Copper-Breaking”.
Narrative
Part of ceremonial regalia of Chief Harry Mountain.
Iconographic Meaning
The Chief's Mask is characterized not by the female Dzunuk'wa figure's foolish face with half closed eyes, but a strong and noble face with eyes partially opened. A Chief's mask usually includes a mustache, eyebrows and locks of human hair, and it is very carefully carved, representing family title and hereditary nobility.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1952
- Collected in Village Island, British Columbia, Canada and 'Mimkwamlis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Chief Harry Mountain before November 1952
- Owned by Alice Mountain before March 24, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Alice Mountain (Seller) on March 24, 1953
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Chief Harry Mountain and 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 1952
- Ownership Date
- before November 1952 and before March 24, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on March 24, 1953
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 41
- Accession Number
- 2008/0004