Spirit Dance Belt Item Number: A8752 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Woven belt with geometric design in black and red and purple on white. Design consists mainly of stripes. The ends are braided to create ties.
History Of Use
Sto:lo Elders identified this as a spirit dance sash that is worn around the waist of a dancer during winter ceremonies. It is one part of a uniform worn by the dancer on such occassions. Anthropologist Pamela Amoss notes that uniforms reflect the type of spirit seen by the dancer in his/her vision. She also observed that the costumes worn in British Columbia were generally more colourful than those worn by dancers in Washington State. Sto:lo Elders noted that this sash should not be displayed.
Specific Techniques
According to Sto:lo weaver Margaret Jimmie the straps on this belt are made with stinging nettle fibre. Nlaka'pamux Elder Minnie Peters adds that you need a lot of time to spin and weave stinging nettle, because it's really soft. The wide part of the belt is done with dyed 2-ply wool. To make double ply you spin it and then twist it together. This can be done with your fingers or you can use a weight such as a rock with a hole in the middle.
Cultural Context
spirit dancing; guardian spirit complex; ceremonial; weaving
Narrative
Dr. Raley, the presumed collector of this belt, was Principal at the Coqualeetza residential school in Sardis BC. His catalogue listed this piece as a tumpline. It is possible the piece was collected near Sardis. Not for display.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1934
- Collected in Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada between 1893 and 1934
- Owned by George Henry Raley before November 1948
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and George Henry Raley (Seller) during November 1948
What
- Name
- Spirit Dance Belt
- Identification Number
- A8752
- Type of Item
- belt
- Material
- dye, wool fibre and nettle fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- dyed and woven
- Overall
- height 142.0 in
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Sto:lo
- Previous Owner
- George Henry Raley
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and George Henry Raley (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1934
- Collection Date
- between 1893 and 1934
- Ownership Date
- before November 1948
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1948
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Accession Number
- 1960 ?