Dance Knife
Item number A3804 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
Public
RRN ID
Item Records
This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.
The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.
These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.
- Data
- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
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
- Name
- Dance Knife
- Identification Number
- A3804
- Type of Item
- knife
- Material
- wood and paint
- Manufacturing Technique
- shaped and painted
- Overall
- height 67.9 cm, width 8.9 cm, depth 2.6 cm
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
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Tom Patch Wamiss
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Tom Patch Wamiss (Seller)
When
- Creation Date
- before 1952
- Ownership Date
- before April 1952
- Acquisition Date
- during April 1952
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1899/0001
Ask a question
Let the RRN community answer your questions
Public
With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account
Shared Knowledge
Share your knowlege of this item with the RRN community
Public
With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account
Similar Items
