Effigy of Medicine Man, North West Coast America, 1867-1900
- Made:
- 1867-1900 in North America
Wooden statue of a medicine man, Haida Indian, North-West American
The Haida people of North West Coast America believe shamen can cure disease, control animals and communicate with the spirit world. This wooden effigy is of a shaman or ‘medicine man’ (a Sah-gah). It was created by the Haida. He holds a small head in his right hand and its nose is pierced with animal bone. The Shaman is decorated with an animal crest. This is common in Haida artwork. It reflects the community the artwork is affiliated with. Many cultures use effigies of shamen or medicine men to invoke their power for protection or healing.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A16088
- Materials:
- wood, bone and paint or stain
- Measurements:
-
overall: 417 mm x 127 mm x 126 mm, 1.075 kg
- type:
- statue