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Details
A HAIDA WOOD AND HIDE BELLOWS WHISTLE
the oval-shaped human head constructed of wood with red and black pigments, featuring finely carved oval-pointed eyes underneath arching brows, a slender nose with flaring nostrils, and a broad, open mouth with thick lips, pierce for sound, the bellows constructed of three small panels of buckskin, sewn and wrapped at the neck with sinew, the front panels painted with red and black pigments in formline style depicting a human body
Height: 7¼ in. (18.4 cm.)
the oval-shaped human head constructed of wood with red and black pigments, featuring finely carved oval-pointed eyes underneath arching brows, a slender nose with flaring nostrils, and a broad, open mouth with thick lips, pierce for sound, the bellows constructed of three small panels of buckskin, sewn and wrapped at the neck with sinew, the front panels painted with red and black pigments in formline style depicting a human body
Height: 7¼ in. (18.4 cm.)
Further details
A variety of whistles and horns are used during theatrical performances by Northwest Coast peoples to represent the cries of creatures and spirits. Many are designed to mimic the actual calls of eagles, ravens, and land mammals such as the mountain goat. Others are more esoteric, although standardized to identify the shrieks of given supernatural beings. They are used in association with masked performers in potlatches.
The Haida greatly value whistles and view them as a vehicle for manifesting both the power and presence of the spirits they represent. Examples with the same tone are secretly sounded from various parts of the dance house to suggest the rapid flight of an invisible being. Others, hidden inside a performer's costume, are manipulated by bellows to confound the audience. The Haida acknowledge they acquired most dance whistles from mainland peoples, either through marraige, purchase, or war.
Jay Stewart
Peter MacNair
March 1, 2002
The Haida greatly value whistles and view them as a vehicle for manifesting both the power and presence of the spirits they represent. Examples with the same tone are secretly sounded from various parts of the dance house to suggest the rapid flight of an invisible being. Others, hidden inside a performer's costume, are manipulated by bellows to confound the audience. The Haida acknowledge they acquired most dance whistles from mainland peoples, either through marraige, purchase, or war.
Jay Stewart
Peter MacNair
March 1, 2002