TOTEM POLES BARBEAU 561 



ethnographic explorations on the northwest coast for the National 

 Museum of Canada from 1914 to 1927; and a summary of his con- 

 clusions is here presented.^ 



SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TOTEM POLE 



The characteristic figures on totem poles consist of symbols com- 

 parable to heraldic devices — not pagan gods or demons, as is often 

 supposed. They usually illustrate myths or tribal traditions. They 

 were never worshiped; and if they were held sacred, it was only 

 because of their implications. 



Those of the Tsimsyan and the Tlingit in particular — and the 

 same thing is also largely true of the Haida poles — were monuments 

 erected by the various families in the tribe to commemorate the 

 dead. In intent they were the equivalent of our tombstones. In- 

 deed, the natives now have some of their crests carved out of stone 

 or marble at Port Simpson or Vancouver and place them as tomb- 

 stones in their modern graveyards. The owners' object in thus 

 showing their coat of arms was to publish at large their claims to 

 vested rights and privileges. The emblems or totems varied with 

 each family; they were their exclusive property and jealously 

 guarded. They picturized legends, phenomena, and the animals 

 of the country. The eagle, the raven, the frog, the finback whale, 

 the grizzly bear, the wolf, the thunderbird, and many others are 

 among the most familiar themes. Others less frequently seen ap- 

 pear to be more recent : for instance the owl, the salmon, the wood- 

 pecker, the beaver, the starfish, the shark, the halibut, the bullhead, 

 the split person, the mountain goat, the puma, the moon, the stars, 

 and the rainbow. These symbols in the last resort were property 

 marks. 



The legendary origin of the emblems is explained in traditional 

 narratives that used to be recited in the winter festivals or potlatch. 

 They are still remembered by the members of the older generation, 

 in spite of the decay of tribal customs. They recount how the an- 

 cestors long ago met with tribulations and adventures ; how they were 

 harassed or rescued by spirits and monsters of the unseen regions; 

 how benevolent spirits appeared in visions and invested their 

 proteges with charms; and how ancient warriors conquered their 

 enemies. The carved illustrations of the stories served a definite 

 purpose, besides those of commemoration and ownership; they 

 made familiar the legends and recollections of the past to all in 

 tribal life. 



Soon after the death of a chief his prospective heirs appointed 

 his leading nephew to his post. His induction took place in the 



2 Published with the approval of the Director at the National Museum of Canada. 



