Mask Item Number: A8238 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Small circular bumblebee mask with large bulbous eyes. Nose protrudes and is turned upwards; nine holes on its end. Cedar bark fringe around the face. Cloth hood and cording is attached to the back of the mask. Colours used are yellow, red, green, white and black.

History Of Use

Used in the Bumblebee dance, which is a children's dance and is often one of the first dances a child participates in during the Winter Ceremonial among the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw.

Narrative

Used in potlatch by Alec Nelson, Kingcome Inlet, 1938 (D. Hawkins, 1966).

Iconographic Meaning

Represents a bumblebee. In the dance, a father and mother bee lead progressively smaller bees out onto the dance floor one by one. When the children are led back into their 'beehive' at the end of the dance one child is discovered to be missing. The father bee circles the floor four times searching for this lost child. On the fourth round the child is found hidden amongst the spectators and is led home.

Item History

What

Name
Mask
Identification Number
A8238
Type of Item
mask
Material
wood, cedar bark, fibre, paint and metal
Manufacturing Technique
carved and painted
Overall
height 29.0 cm, width 36.0 cm, depth 15.0 cm

Who

Culture
Kwakwaka'wakw
Creator
Dick Hawkins (Maker) and Samuel Hawkins (Technician)
Previous Owner
Charlie Willie and Canadian Cabin Crafts
Received from
Canadian Cabin Crafts (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)

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
during 1938
Collection Date
during 1962
Ownership Date
before November 1962
Acquisition Date
during November 1962

Other

Condition
fair
Current Location
Case 36
Accession Number
0087/0002