180103-60 Nootka Beaded Arm Band with Thunderbird and Whale Story
c. 1970
2.5" wide x 6" at ties
Whale was a monster, killing other whales and depriving the Quileute tribe of meat and oil. Thunderbird, a benevolent supernatural being, saw from its home high in the mountains that the people were starving. It soared out over the coastal waters, then plunged into the ocean and seized Whale. A struggle ensued; the ocean receded and rose again. Many canoes were flung into trees and many people were killed. Thunderbird eventually succeeded in lifting Whale out of the ocean, carrying it high into the air and then dropping it. Then another great battle occurred on land.
In one of many variant versions of the myth, the sound of the whale dropping into the sea is the source of thunder. A young boy of a Vancouver Island people, the Comox, was fascinated by the sound of thunder, and heard it from behind a point of land. He crossed that point, following the sound of thunder, and discovered the spectacle of the Thunderbird seizing and dropping the whale. The Thunderbird saw the boy, and told him that the story was now his, and he had the right to wear the Thunderbird mask and wings at the potlatch.
In another variant, the flapping of the Thunderbird's wings is the source of the thunder
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Owners notes: "While taking a vacation with friends on their 44' yacht, we came to Nootka on Vancouver Island. When we got of the boat, locals came up and I asked if anyone had baskets. She quickly ran back to her home and shortly thereafter came with an armload of baskets and other items, of which I bought them all. Most of the baskets were newer, but a few were older. Many more Nootka came to our boat, fascinated with it, but after we bought all the baskets they left to go to town to buy things."
Overall in very good condition.
180103-60
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