Online Encyclopedia
Kwakiutl mythology
The Kwakiutl are a tribe of Native Americans in the northwestern United States, and Western British Columbia (Vancouver Island and west coast mainland) of Canada.
Tsonoqwa (Tsonokwa ) is a type of cannibal giant called Geekumhl and comes in both male and female forms. The female for is the most common; she eats children and cries "hu-hu!" to attract them, as well as offering candy and treasure. Children frequently outwit her and take her treasures without being eaten. The female form is also a
Kewkwaxa'we is the raven spirit, who brought the Kawkiutl people the moon, fire, salmon, the sun and the tides.
Of particular importance in Kwakiutl culture is the secret society called Hamatsa . During the winter, there is a four-day, complex dance that serves to iniate new members of Hamatsa. Some of the dancers represent various spirits, including Bakbakwalanooksiwae ("cannibal at the north end of the world"; he is actually invisible and each dancer represents a mouth). The initiates are possessed by Bakbakwalanooksiwae on the first day of the ceremony and wanders into the woods until the end. When the initiate returns, he enacts a cannibalistic experience symbolically. Kwakwakalanooksiwae is the most prestigious role in the ceremony; he is a cannibalistic raven monster. Galokwudzuwis ("crooked beak of heaven") and Hokhokw (cannibalistic bird who crushes skulls) are other participants.