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The History Of Totem Poles |
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"Totem pole " is the name given by Europeans to the carved wooden pillars made by Indian villages of the Northwest coast The basic idea is that the differences existing in nature are used to identify or stand for groups of people most likely families. The popularity of carving totem poles increased, because it was felt that they were very impressive in trade. Back then, there were only really two basic types of poles: the memorial (to honor dead relatives) and the decorative house pole. With the increase of trade and more trading posts through out the land, more poles were being carved. Carvers began using the of stronger, easier-to-use iron tools brought from over seas. Still no one is for sure how long ago totem poles actully started. Now there are almost no 19th and early 20th century totem poles left in their native settings or in native ownership. Most have rotted and fallen to the ground,and only a few have been preserved in museums and international exhibits. Totem pole carving almost even died out between the 1880's and the 1950's because of a law that forbid one of the native events called "potlatch". Potlatch ceremonies celebrated important events with geusts coming from far and wide, feasting and the giving away of property.Toten pole raising usually commemorated these events. In fact the notches on the hats of the native men on the totem poles, stood for how many potlatches that family or tribe had held. Now after the anti-potlatching law was repealed tribes are again carving totem poles. Plans to preserve the totem poles increased the public's interest and awareness toward the historic poles. Because of this increased interest of the public, people wanted to preserve more of their history that was found in the totem poles. Programs were beginning to be funded by different sorts of people and cultures. Now the problem was if they could gather as many examples of totem pole art as possible and provide enough storage places for the preservation work. Time was running out if the poles that remained in many of the villages were to be saved. The people who wanted to preserve the totem poles held many conferences and put the spotlight on things like: logistics, salvage problems, techniques of preservation, funding needs, the right of heirs, and many more. Finally they began to preserve the poles. Eventually after hours of endless work, they started to save the totem poles.
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