IDNO

P.8445.ACH1

Description

On Catalogue Card: “Masks of ‘how-how’ a mythical bird of enormous size. Wooden mask with stick which passes down the wearer’s back beneath his blanket and is fastened with a belt, enabling him to carry it projecting from his hidden face. The dancer assumes a crouching attitude and frequently bends so that the beak sweeps the ground. The beak can be opened and closed by a hidden string passing beneath the blanket. Around the neck are pendant cedar bark tassels and on top are twigs covered with eagle down. In certain ‘kusuit’ dances any of the supernatural creatures can be shown, and it is then that ‘how-hows’ appear. The clapping of the beaks gives them their names.” [typed text]

Place

N America; Canada; British Columbia; Bella Coola

Cultural Affliation

Northwest Coast Indian; Salishan; Coast Salish; Nuxalk [historically Bella Coola]

Named Person

Photographer

McIllwraith, Thomas F.

Collector / Expedition

Haddon, Alfred Cort; McIllwraith, Thomas F.

Date

Collection Name

Mounted Haddon Collection

Source

Haddon, Alfred Cort (Dr)McIllwraith, Thomas F.

Format

Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Place: Previous catalogue card by T.F. McIllwraith was of the Bella Coola. [JD 28/4/2007]