MAYA TOTEM
"When joined together," painter Emily Carr once wrote, speaking of the work of an unknown Kwakiutl sculptor, "they formed the story of a human group."
The totem poles had primarily the function of remembrance. Beginning at the top, usually dominated by a raven or eagle, an Indian could discover all the ancestry and deeds of the pole's owner.
The totem poles had primarily the function of remembrance. Beginning at the top, usually dominated by a raven or eagle, an Indian could discover all the ancestry and deeds of the pole's owner.
Then, by identifying other mythical characters carved in wood, he could conjure up frightening tales about Tsonoqua, the wild woman of the woods..., Tseakami, the great cedar tree who became a man..., Yehl the raven, who discovered man in a shell.
