Kwakwaka’wakw Chief’s mask

Kwakwaka’wakw Chief’s mask

British Columbia
19th Century
Kwakwaka’wakw
First Nations
Museum Scramble
chief’s mask
Native
mask

This item is a chief’s mask, from the Kwakwaka’wakw tribe in British Columbia. The design of the mask involves human hair and exaggerated facial features supposed to represent a woman in the woods. This item was created in traditional style, to be used whilst giving gifts. The existence of this source shows both the continuation of the culture of the indigenous people throughout the 19th century as well as the extent to which the museum scramble led to the acquisition of many items belonging to indigenous culture. This is evidence of the strong independent culture of the first nations that existed before settler colonialism changed the culture, and how it continued throughout the 19th century despite colonial influence.

Unknown

UBC Museum of anthropology

Link: http://collection-online.moa.ubc.ca/search/item?place_made%5B0%5D=62192&row=14

1800-1890

Samuel Armitage

UBC Museum of Anthropology

N/A

Material object - wooden Mask

19th century British Columbia