Crossroads of Culture 200 Years of Canadian Immigration (1800-2000)
Introduction Objects Photos & Papers Themes Kids & Teachers

Trades

This comb was used to comb wool before it could be spun into yarn. The comb dates from about 1870. The simple designs of a hand carved into the wood, as this one has, were very common amongst most ethnic groups of Bukovyna. (Bukovinian)

This cherry wood and red oak spinning wheel was made in July, 1972, in time for the first Estonian World Festival, held in Toronto. The maker used to be a fisherman in Estonia but after the Second World War, he immigrated to Canada and started hand making spinning wheels. (Estonian)

A Lutheran farmer who immigrated to High Falls, Quebec, the maker made this and many other items using hand tools and local wood. This bowl, dating from the late 19th Century, has always been in the family. The bowl was used to clean meat. (German)

Hunting weapon, even used on lions. Rotated quickly at arm's length with one finger in the ring and the other end held tightly, the sling is released when maximum speed is reached and the stone is fired at the target. The Hausa were highly skilled in the use of the sling. (Nigerian)

This generic pail comes from the St. Onuphrius Church (which can still be seen as the Ukrainian Church in the Canada Hall exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.) Kept under the stairs, it was used to carry water from the stream of the nearby farm to wash the floors of the church. (Ukrainian)

Probably of Zulu origin, these clubs (sing. iwisa, pl. amawisa) were used by men as hunting weapons, in combat, or in ritual dances to show their status. (Zulu)

View all items in the collection