 |
| 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.
|
 |
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.
|
|
|