Pacific Northwest Coast Indian Art: The Stőlo Drum
The White Buffalo
The Native Americans have legends about White buffalo are extremely rare. It is said that a white buffalo appeared in the form of a woman who wore white hides. One man was respectful toward her, and the other was not. The one who was not was turned into a pile of bones. She gave the respectful brave a pipe and taught him special music. She also taught him various rituals and said that she would someday return in an era of peace. Many people cling to this legend of White Buffalo as a hope that there will be an end to suffering, whereas others think that it is merely an interesting tale. Many experts find parallels between the white buffalo legend and other religions and traditions.
The Raven
The most important of all creatures to the Northwest coast Indian peoples was the Raven. He took many forms to many peoples, the Transformer, the cultural hero, the trickster, the Big Man. Full of magical powers, the Raven could transform himself into anything. He put the sun in the sky, the fish in the sea, the salmon into the rivers. His antics were often motivated by greed, and he loved to tease, to cheat, to woo, and to trick.

Pacific Northwest Coast Indian Drum
The Eagle
The Eagle is not a supernatural figure as the raven, but as the largest and most powerful of the birds is used as a symbol of social position and prestige among the Indian peoples. Eagles are present in great numbers along the Pacific Northwest coast where the Indians live and fish. Eagle down, a symbol of peace and friendship, was sprinkled before guests in welcome dances and on other ceremonial occasions; eagle feathers were used in many rituals and worn on masks, headdresses and dance aprons.


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