34 | Viking Explorer Society News
Legend
AND LORE
We delve into the history and meaning carved
into the majestic totem poles of Alaska.
T
he totem poles of Alaska, created
by coastal First Nations and
indigenous groups of the Pacific
Northwest, in particular the
Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida communities,
are magnificent pieces of art that conjure up
memories of people and events.
Usually standing between three and 18
metres in height – although some can
surpass 20 metres – poles were traditionally
carved by men. Today, however, both men
and women have become expert carvers of
totem poles, often honing their skills after
spending their childhood years watching
experts in action. The word 'totem' can be
traced to the Algonquian word odoodem,
meaning "kinship group". Typically created
out of red cedar wood, most totem poles
feature symbolic animals or human forms, as
well as supernatural beings that chart a
family's lineage and history.
Common crests include the thunderbird,
wolf, grizzly bear, raven, beaver, frog, salmon
and eagle, and important families often have
more than one crest. In addition to family-
related themes, totem poles can also be
created to mark a special event or to
commemorate a particular ancestor or
legend. They can also be used as a point of
welcome, or as a sign of remembrance, and
can be erected to celebrate a family's success.
Embedded in the culture, the ability to
appreciate the meaning carved into a specific
totem rests on the viewer's level of
understanding of the particular symbols and
local traditions.
The incredible
carved detail of a
Tlingit totem pole
at Saxman Totem
Park in Alaska.
