Totems
In
most cases, a totem pole is a carved tribal figure, usually a pillar
engraved and painted with religious or nature symbols. From where
totem poles originated is actually not known. They are made from
wood and as such, rot and decay over time. This is especially true
in rainy climates such as what we have in the Pacific Northwest coastal
regions. Consequently, there are no poles that exist today that
were carved prior to the 1800s. We do know that totem poles were
present in North America prior to 1800 because of accounts from early
explorers. Presumably, totem poles seen by the early explorers
were preceded by a long history of such carving, and it is assumed these
were predominantly house support beams. Design differences between
totem poles is regional and most likely a product of artistic
techniques.
Totems decline - and revival
Totem pole carving declined at the end of the
nineteenth century largely due to American and Canadian native assimilation
programs. Carving of totems was fast becoming a dying art.
However, this trend was reversed in the mid-twentieth century as a
result of renewed interest in native cultures, languages and customs.
New totem poles are being carved and raised in most areas where they
were once common.
Totem poles today
Indigenous artists today carve totem poles as booming businesses and
educate new apprentices and their customers in the art of traditional
totem pole carving and construction. Mdern poles are typically
created with a traditional approach, although some carvers incorporate
modern icons and some make use of nontraditional tools and techniques in their
implementation.
A new totem pole can fetch thousands of dollars, but due to the amount
of time an artist spends on the execution of a single piece, this may be
his only source of income. Archeological analysis show that
designs being utilized today were originally developed thousands of
years ago by native Americans and most share a common graphic design.
Totem pole designs usually follow a distinct style. The Tlingit, Haida,
and Tsimshian of Alaska and British Columbia lay claim to the "Northern
Style", which utilizes identifiable color schemes of red, black and
turquoise. The "Southern Style" is common to the Wakashan and
Salish tribes of Southern B.C. Impressive thunderbirds and
crest figures utilizing intricate colors of black, red, green, and
yellow, white and turquoise are examples of their style.
