Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw
"KWA-kwa-kee-walk"
"Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw” means “the people who speak Kwak̓wala,” a group comprised of 17 distinct nations that hail from the north side of Vancouver Island, adjacent islands, and coastal mainland to the east. Formerly, the entire group was mistakenly called Kwakiutl.
Population: 7,718 (as of 2014) Language: Kwak̓wala, five dialects
Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw Voices
H. Alonso/© AMNH
George Lawson
H. Alonso/© AMNH
George Lawson
H. Alonso/© AMNH
L. Allen/© AMNH
U’mista Cultural Centre. Voices: Lorraine Hunt/Violet Bracic/Pewi Alfred
Kwakwala_gilakas_la
Kwakwala_wiksas_howareyou
From the Collections: Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw head ring

Head ring
During a sacred series of dances called the t'set'seḵa, Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw people wear items made of red-dyed bark from cedar trees. In this ceremony youth are initiated into a society called hamat’sa based on contact with supernatural beings. They can call themselves hamat’sas thereafter. This striking head ring may have been worn by a hamat'sa during the final stage of his initiation rite—an inherited privilege. The abalone shell ornaments depict a face—notice the eyes or eyebrows, nose, and mouth.
This head ring is from the Ḵwikwa̱sutinux̱ community in Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw territory off the coast of British Columbia, Canada.
AMNH 16/6864, acquired 1899
H. Alonso/© AMNH
Ongoing Traditions
Salish Sentinel
AMNH/Laura Allen
S. Holland/U'mista Cultural Centre
Image credit: C. Cook
H. Alonso/© AMNH
H. Alonso/© AMNH
AMNH Library 328744
C. Cheadle
AMNH Library 329955
From the Collections: Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw Transformation Mask

Mask
Masks can reveal spiritual and personal transformation, important concepts for Native communities. A dancer wearing this mask relates the story of Siwidi, a young man altered by his encounters with supernatural sea creatures. See Siwidi’s change, beginning as a bullhead fish (sculpin), then a sea raven, and lastly as Born-to-Be-Head-of-the-World, a hero.
This mask is from the Gwawaʼenux̱w community in Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw territory off the coast of British Columbia, Canada.
AMNH 16/8942, acquired 1902
George Hunt and Franz Boas
American Philosophical Society
AMNH Library 11604
AMNH Library 335772
U’mista Cultural Centre UPN-06011
From the Collections: Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw Dance Apron
AMNH 16/2356, acquired 1897
Then and Now


(left) © AMNH Library 104471; (right) H. Alonso/© AMNH