In their earthly form, the underwater people appear as halibut, sharks, sea lions and most other mammals and fish from the sea.
In the spirit world, however, they take the form of humans.
Sgaana xaaydagaay, the killer whale people, are among the most powerful of the people from the sea.
Many stories tell of Haida ancestors putting on skins of killer whales to enter the realm of the spirit world, where killer whale people and humans visit, communicate and feast together.
In their earthly form, the underwater people appear as halibut, sharks, sea lions and most other mammals and fish from the sea.
In the spirit world, however, they take the form of humans.
Sgaana xaaydagaay, the killer whale people, are among the most powerful of the people from the sea.
Many stories tell of Haida ancestors putting on skins of killer whales to enter the realm of the spirit world, where killer whale people and humans visit, communicate and feast together.
© 1998, CHIN. All Rights Reserved.
Killer whales. Sculpture in yellow cedar.
Sculpture: Robert Davidson
Collection of Old Massett Village Council
© Collection of Old Massett Village Council
Killer whale (rhun), pencil drawing.
Tom Price
Royal British Columbia Museum
CPN 16561
© Royal British Columbia Museum
Killer whale/ Human transformation; sculpture in wood.
Photo: Canadian Museum of Civilization
VII-B-1654 (S94-6774)
© Canadian Museum of Civilization
Human/ killer whale transformation; argillite.
Sculpture by Christian White
Photo: Haida Gwaii Museum at Qay llnagaay
Nb1.567
© Haida Gwaii Museum at Qay llnagaay
At the bottom is the killer whale in animal form as in our world. Above it, it is in human form as in the spirit world. They share the same tail. Above them is Thunderbird.
At the bottom is the killer whale in animal form as in our world. Above it, it is in human form as in the spirit world. They share the same tail. Above them is Thunderbird.
© 1998, CHIN. All Rights Reserved.
Variations on the Killer whale Myth; one of a series of three model poles carved in yellow cedar.
Robert Davidson
Collection of Old Massett Village Council
© Collection of Old Massett Village Council
Learning Objectives
The learner will:- Summarize the Haida story of the killer whale myth in words and in pictures
- Identify elements of Haida art and its importance to Haida culture
- Name at least one modern Haida artist and reference one of their works
