Tribal Art

Northwest Coast Indian art is famous for its spectacular totem poles, house posts, feast dishes, boxes and painted house facades. Less known but equally important is the art of shamans, especially those of the Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida tribes. This volume presents the first comprehensive illustrated survey of the various types of painted and carved objects that were worn by shamans in the performance of their duties. In order to form alliances with animal spirits, shamans on the northwest coast deprived themselves of food, water and sleep during long vigils in nature. The spirits that then appeared to them in dreams and visions could then be invoked to help them heal and participate in divinatory sessions. Much of the ceremonial paraphernalia depicts helping spirits serving the shaman. Some examples, which show intricate juxtapositions of many animal and human figures, depict the shaman's dreams or trance experiences as he formed his covenants. This study places Northwest Coast shamanism in a global context and demonstrates that its practices and beliefs are similar to those found elsewhere. The book is peppered with archival photographs - portraits of shamans and their decaying burial homes - as well as descriptions of their lives, exploits and performances. A discussion of complex iconography, which includes such creatures as land otters, devilfish, oystercatchers, mountain goats, and drowning men. The heart of the book is a catalog of the objects - masks, amulets, storage boxes, goblets, clothes, drums, rattles, figure sculptures, soul catchers, staffs, crowns and combs - used by shamans. Over five hundred photographs, many of which are published here for the first time, show the finest examples of Northwest Coast shamanic art in museums and private collections around the world. This groundbreaking study draws attention to a body of Northwest Coast art that, until now, has not received the attention it deserves. It will be important to scholars and the general public, as well as anyone interested in the history and practice of shamanism.

Author: Allen Wardwell
Editions: The Monacelli Press
Condition: used, very good
Language: English
Number of pages: 336
Dimensions: 300 x 300mm
Hardcover
ISBN: 978 1 58093 235 6