Chilkat robe
Artifact
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Video
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Activities
THINK
Look at this robe and read the historical context provided. How long do you think it would take to weave a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe? Explain your answer.
Answer: It could take at least one-and-a-half to two years to source and process the wool, create the design and then complete the weaving.
THINK
How do you think XaaydaG̱a (Haida people) acquired the wool to create Naaxiin (Chilkat) weavings? Read the historical context to verify your answer.
LOOK
Look at this Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe and read the historical context provided. Next, look at the X̱uuya k’iida (Raven’s Tail) robe and read about its historical context. Make a list of similarities and differences between these two styles of weaving.
Details
Date 1899 or earlier
Materials - Goat Hair
- Cedar Bark
- Cotton
- Mammal Skin
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes are a form of textile weaving. Traditionally, weaving has been a jaada (women’s) role, and the skills involved have been passed down from mother to daughter.
- The robes’ curved patterns feature family crests or oral histories.
- Much skill and a lot of time are needed to make a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe. They are worn only on special occasions and by those of high status.
This is a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe made out of maat (mountain goat) hair, cotton and ts’uu ḵ’al (cedar bark). This form of textile weaving comes from the Tsimshian, Tlingit and Haida nations.
The patterns on Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes are curvilinear and feature family crests or oral histories. The weaver recreates these patterns from a carved wooden pattern board provided to the weaver by a wood carver.
Much skill and a lot of time are needed to make a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe. This is why they are worn only on special occasions and by chiefs or others of high status.
This Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe was woven from dyed and natural colour maat (mountain goat) hair, cotton and ts’uu ḵ’al (cedar bark). This form of textile weaving comes from the Tsimshian, Tlingit and Haida nations.
Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes were often made for an individual of high social status. That person would have privileges or rights to wear robes that featured clan crests or designs. As a result, not just anyone can wear a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe.
The designs on a typical Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe are curvilinear. They replicate a carved wooden pattern board provided to the weaver by a wood carver. Pattern boards show only half a design: the weaver is responsible for creating the other half as an exact mirror image, so that the design is symmetrical. Much skill and a lot of time are needed to weave a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe, so they are worn only at potlatches or feasts and by chiefs or others of high status.
While, traditionally, weaving Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes has been a jaada (women’s) role, creating the pattern board designs has typically been done by lihll.ngts’ida (men). The longstanding practice of passing down weaving skills from mother to daughter continues to this day.
- Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes are a form of textile weaving. Traditionally, weaving has been a jaada (women’s) role, and the skills involved have been passed down from mother to daughter.
- The robes’ curved patterns feature family crests or oral histories.
- Much skill and a lot of time are needed to make a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe. They are worn only on special occasions and by those of high status.
This is a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe made out of maat (mountain goat) hair, cotton and ts’uu ḵ’al (cedar bark). This form of textile weaving comes from the Tsimshian, Tlingit and Haida nations.
The patterns on Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes are curvilinear and feature family crests or oral histories. The weaver recreates these patterns from a carved wooden pattern board provided to the weaver by a wood carver.
Much skill and a lot of time are needed to make a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe. This is why they are worn only on special occasions and by chiefs or others of high status.
This Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe was woven from dyed and natural colour maat (mountain goat) hair, cotton and ts’uu ḵ’al (cedar bark). This form of textile weaving comes from the Tsimshian, Tlingit and Haida nations.
Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes were often made for an individual of high social status. That person would have privileges or rights to wear robes that featured clan crests or designs. As a result, not just anyone can wear a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe.
The designs on a typical Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe are curvilinear. They replicate a carved wooden pattern board provided to the weaver by a wood carver. Pattern boards show only half a design: the weaver is responsible for creating the other half as an exact mirror image, so that the design is symmetrical. Much skill and a lot of time are needed to weave a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe, so they are worn only at potlatches or feasts and by chiefs or others of high status.
While, traditionally, weaving Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes has been a jaada (women’s) role, creating the pattern board designs has typically been done by lihll.ngts’ida (men). The longstanding practice of passing down weaving skills from mother to daughter continues to this day.
Summary
- Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes are a form of textile weaving. Traditionally, weaving has been a jaada (women’s) role, and the skills involved have been passed down from mother to daughter.
- The robes’ curved patterns feature family crests or oral histories.
- Much skill and a lot of time are needed to make a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe. They are worn only on special occasions and by those of high status.
Essential
This is a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe made out of maat (mountain goat) hair, cotton and ts’uu ḵ’al (cedar bark). This form of textile weaving comes from the Tsimshian, Tlingit and Haida nations.
The patterns on Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes are curvilinear and feature family crests or oral histories. The weaver recreates these patterns from a carved wooden pattern board provided to the weaver by a wood carver.
Much skill and a lot of time are needed to make a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe. This is why they are worn only on special occasions and by chiefs or others of high status.
In-Depth
This Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe was woven from dyed and natural colour maat (mountain goat) hair, cotton and ts’uu ḵ’al (cedar bark). This form of textile weaving comes from the Tsimshian, Tlingit and Haida nations.
Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes were often made for an individual of high social status. That person would have privileges or rights to wear robes that featured clan crests or designs. As a result, not just anyone can wear a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe.
The designs on a typical Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe are curvilinear. They replicate a carved wooden pattern board provided to the weaver by a wood carver. Pattern boards show only half a design: the weaver is responsible for creating the other half as an exact mirror image, so that the design is symmetrical. Much skill and a lot of time are needed to weave a Naaxiin (Chilkat) robe, so they are worn only at potlatches or feasts and by chiefs or others of high status.
While, traditionally, weaving Naaxiin (Chilkat) robes has been a jaada (women’s) role, creating the pattern board designs has typically been done by lihll.ngts’ida (men). The longstanding practice of passing down weaving skills from mother to daughter continues to this day.