Title: The First Nations of the Pacific Northwest - Totem Poles
Headings: The First Nations of the Pacific Northwest
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The First Nations of the Pacific Northwest
Totem Poles, House Posts, and Big Houses
References
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Content: licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. The use of the word 'totem' to describe the carvings historically found along the Northwest Coast is somewhat misleading. Even the earliest explorers recognized that the poles did not depict gods nor were they objects of worship. Rather the totem poles of the Northwest Coast are heraldic. These monumental carvings are better understood as physical manifestations of the owner’s family histories and rights. The images displayed are crest figures, many of which represent supernatural beings, or ancestors who encountered supernatural beings, from whom hereditary rights and privileges were obtained. These rights include lands, resources, house designs, images, names and ceremonies including the songs, masks, dances and regalia that are shown in the ceremonies. Poles proclaim and validate a person’s lineage and importance. Text above: http://www.sfu.ca/brc/art_architecture/totem_poles.html
The carvings on house-front poles depict crests belonging to the owners of the house.