Crab Puppet

Item number A4104 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Supernatural ground crab puppet. Wooden carved figure depicting a crustacean with four bent legs on each side of the body and two claws on either side of the face. Inside the hollowed-out interior is a spool, which attaches to two spools of string: when pulled, these would allow a person to cause the figure to scuttle along. The figure is painted in brown with black and white details.

History Of Use

These articulated characters are known as dług̱we’ treasures (gamisida długwe'), as are the theatrical dances in which they appear. The Kwakwaka’wakw have a history of puppetry related to their ceremonial feasts. The winter potlatches are known for their spectacular performances, suffused with cultural teachings and supernatural content, such as the coming of Winalagalis, the supernatural warrior. Dances and songs associated with Winalagalis include the tuxw’id, which is performed by women, who have the power and rights to make the dług̱we’ treasures (puppets) come to life. For instance, a tuxw’id dancer could summon a crustacean to life, on invisible cords, in the flickering firelight.

Narrative

This piece was witnessed in a ceremony in Kingcome Inlet c. 1919, according to Dick Hawkins (1966).

Iconographic Meaning

Represents supernatural Ground Crab of the Woods; a treasure: dług̱we’ of a tux'wid dancer (M. Martin, 1952; C. George, 1966).

Item History

What

Name
Crab Puppet
Identification Number
A4104
Type of Item
puppet
Material
fibre, wood and paint
Manufacturing Technique
carved, painted and nailed
Overall
height 10.2 cm, width 76.2 cm, depth 21.0 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
Creator
Tom Patch Wamiss (Maker)
Previous Owner
Emily Watson
Received from
H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Emily Watson (Seller)

When

Creation Date
before 1920
Ownership Date
before October 1952
Acquisition Date
during October 1952

Other

Condition
fair
Current Location
Case 24
Accession Number
1874/0013
This work is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.5 Canada License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available by emailing [email protected].

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