Miniature totem poles are sometimes the only surviving record of full-sized totem poles in existence today, representing important stories and crests of the 30-foot originals.
Miniature totem poles were carved in the early 1900s as popular items for tourists, but some replicated full-size totem poles and are the only record of the original today.
“Small spiritual figures, kind of talisman-like objects, amulets, rings,” James said. “And then halibut hooks too.” With the onset of Russian, European and American traders in Southeast Alaska throughout the 1800s, Lingít people traded and adapted new materials into cultural practices, clothing and art.
James says starting in the late 1800s with the Klondike Gold Rush and massive influx of missionaries and settlers, fish traps decimated salmon runs and harmed traditional Native livelihoods. So Lingít artists began producing miniatures for tourists. “A lot of the model totem poles were based off of real totem poles that existed, that had stories and were owned by someone,” he said. “So sometimes, the model totem pole, based off the real one, the model is the only one that exists today. Because, it’s easy to store, it lasted longer than the original. So that’s the only record of that totem pole existing, is in that miniature version.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Take an Elevator All the Way 'Into Space' at Dubai's Newest Architectural Marvel, the Museum of the Future | Artnet NewsThe cutting-edge building suggests Dubai's role in the future, and signals the emirate's shift from an oil economy into one based on tourism.
Read more »
Big Bang Theory: Mayim Bialik On Why Jim Parsons Was So Good As SheldonTheBigBangTheory's Mayim Bialik has opened up about why she thinks Jim Parsons was so good as Sheldon, calling her co-star a 'phenomenal actor.”🙌
Read more »
America’s Black Holocaust Museum reopens after 14 yearsAmerica’s Black Holocaust Museum opened to the public in Wisconsin Saturday for the first time since 2008.
Read more »
Ferne McCann's boyfriend shares special note from her after white powder videoLorri Haines - who is dating ex TOWIE star Ferne McCann - proudly showed off a card handwritten by his lover following their trip to the Maldives
Read more »
🖼️ 19 essential museums just outside Philly | Morning NewsletterThe best museums in nearby towns just outside of Philly from sculpture gardens to historic buildings.
Read more »
Opinion: Why it took me 50 years to become a proud Black womanVisiting the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis showed me that teaching American...
Read more »