Dance Knife Item Number: A3804 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Warrior dance knife, or baton in the form of Sisiutl. Central face is yellow with green and black eye features, white teeth and red nostrils and lips. The neck of both heads at either end of the sisiult are white, green, and black. The wolf-like heads at each end of the knife have a white curl at the top of the head, have white teeth, a red nose and mouth, and have yellow accents.
History Of Use
Ceremonial knife of Hawinalalh, assistant to Winalagilis, the war spirit, this mythological creature was dangerous, powerful, and impervious to human weaponry. Sisiutl always appears with two serpent-like heads at each end of the body, which is represented by a face. Carried like a wand by the war dancer. Could also have descended from the ceiling on invisible strings during the War Dance (M. Bronsden).
Iconographic Meaning
Sisiutl was a double-headed serpent or lightning snake who was an assistant to Winalagalis, the War Spirit.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1952
- Collected in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Tom Patch Wamiss before April 1952
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Tom Patch Wamiss (Seller) during April 1952
What
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Tom Patch Wamiss
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Tom Patch Wamiss (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Ukwanalis, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1952
- Ownership Date
- before April 1952
- Acquisition Date
- during April 1952
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1899/0001