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Tsimshian Society and Culture
Men's Activities
Woodworking
Household objects were usually made from the wood or bark of the red
cedar tree. The wood split easily into boards, from which boxes were
made to satisfy every need from cradle to grave. Harder woods, like
yellow cedar, spruce and maple, were used for tools and weapons.
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Hafted maul with the stone head carved to represent a bird's head
Collected by Rev. Thomas Crosby, 1874-1897; Fort Simpson
(VII-C-2094)
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The red cedar, with its remarkable qualities, was essential for
houses, canoes, ceremonial
screens and masks. Several large planks could be split from standing
trees without felling them. They were then split again with wedges and
mauls, and planed with stone adzes into the desired size and shape. With
jade and shell chisels, and bone drills it was possible to make complex
joints and fasten the boards together securely.
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Men hollowing out a canoe with adzes at Metlakatla, B.C., near Prince Rupert.
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The ocean-going war and trading
canoes, made of giant
red-cedar logs, were a testament to the woodworking skills of the Tsimshian.
Only traces of these achievements (like canoe paddles) are preserved in the
bog-like deposits adjacent to ancient village sites.
The men felled the trees, then split them into planks for building
houses.
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Artisans installing facade panels.
This picture was taken during construction of the Tsimshian House in
the Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec.
All of the work on the house was carried out by Tsimshian artisans.
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Master carvers and their apprentices produced beautifully sculpted
wooden objects, including masks, rattles, headdresses and
boxes.
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Carved cedar bentwood box with opercula inlay on lid, used for
holding objects of wealth and rank
Collected by I.W. Powell, 1879; Fort Simpson
(VII-C-99)
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