Carved Wooden Octopus Bowl

This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. The image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws.
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  • This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. The image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws.
  • This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. The image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws.
  • This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. The image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws.
  • This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. The image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws.
  • This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. The image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws.
  • This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. The image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws.
Scientific Name
Bowl
Catalog Number
400643
Object/Specimen Description
A carved wooden Potlatch Bowl made by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Richard Hunt of British Columbia, Canada. A potlatch is a ceremonial gift-giving festival with economic meaning traditionally practiced by indigenous people throughout the Pacific Northwest. The bowl is carved from red cedar and depicts an octopus. The bowl is dominated by the gaping mouth of the animal, with what appear to be teeth carved into the rim of the mouth. At the bottom of the mouth three large but somewhat abstract tentacles appear. Above the mouth are two eyes and a human-like nose.
Culture/Ethnicity
Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwagiulth)
Material
Wood
Number of objects in this
record: 1
Discipline
Anthropology
Collecting Locality
North America, Canada, British Columbia
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Baule woodcarvers at work, Yagolikro village, Ivory Coast
Photograph by Eliot Elisofon, 1972. Image no. EEPA EECL 6900. Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution
  • Baule woodcarvers at work, Yagolikro village, Ivory Coast
    Photograph by Eliot Elisofon, 1972. Image no. EEPA EECL 6900. Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

About Humans and the Environment

Humans have always manipulated their environment, whether by acquiring food, making and using tools, or other aspects of daily life. They are constantly interacting with their environment on a daily basis. By using the available materials, humans have created shelter, made tools, created containers and vessels, and produced items of personal and cultural significance. Many of these resources are naturally occurring, such as stones, minerals, animal bones, or organic fibers from plants, while others are made from combining materials. The process of acquiring these materials and the manufacturing process can be traditional practices that are passed down from one generation to another. Because materials are unique to the location of different communities and cultures, by studying the types of materials, as well as animal remains found and the processes used to manipulate them, anthropologists and researchers can learn about the daily activities and lifestyles of the cultures they are studying. In what ways do you interact with your environment on a daily basis?

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A mask dancer performs a traditional Indonesian dance
Photographs courtesy of Dr. Mark Hobart
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    Photographs courtesy of Dr. Mark Hobart
  • Nufori acrobat-mask performs the final rituals of a Senufo funeral, Promafolo village, near Korhogo, Ivory Coast
    Photograph by Eliot Elisofon, 1971. Image no. EEPA EECL 9187. Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives. National Museum of African Art. Smithsonian Institution

About Ceremonies and Rituals

Cultures around the world observe different rituals and ceremonies. These can occur for a variety of reasons, but they all serve a significant purpose for participants. Some rituals and ceremonies are related to religious practices, such as the complex dances of the Hopi people of the American Southwest. In these rituals, the Hopi believe that the dancers actually become the Katsina ancestors or spiritual messengers. These rituals are used to honor the ancestors and acknowledge their role in bringing rainfall. Other ceremonies and rituals are essential to social relations within and between communities. For example, tribes of the Northwest coast of North America celebrate life events through a festival feast and gathering known as a potlatch. This allows for the members of the communities to redistribute wealth among them and reconnect. Status in these ceremonies is granted to those who give the most, not those who are given the most. In what sort of ceremonies or rituals does your culture or family participate?

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