Dzunukwa: Difference between revisions
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'''Dzunukwa''', also '''Tsonoqua''', '''Tsonokwa''', is a figure in [[Kwakwaka'wakw mythology]] . She is an ancestor of the [[Namgis clan]] through her son, [[Tsilwalagame]]. She is venerated as a bringer of wealth, but is also greatly feared by children, because she is also known as an ogress who steals children and carries them home in her basket to eat. |
'''Dzunukwa''', also '''Tsonoqua''', '''Tsonokwa''', is a figure in [[Kwakwaka'wakw mythology]] . She is an ancestor of the [[Namgis clan]] through her son, [[Tsilwalagame]]. She is venerated as a bringer of wealth, but is also greatly feared by children, because she is also known as an ogress who steals children and carries them home in her basket to eat. |
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Her appearance is that of a naked, pale-skinned, old monster with long pendulous breasts. In [[mask]]s and [[totem pole]] images she is shown with bright red pursed lips, because she is said to give off the call "Hu!" She is also described having |
Her appearance is that of a naked, pale-skinned{{cn}}, old monster with long pendulous breasts. In [[mask]]s and [[totem pole]] images she is shown with bright red pursed lips, because she is said to give off the call "Hu!" She is also described having a bedraggled hair.<ref>{{cite book |title=Challenging traditions: contemporary First Nations art of the Northwest Coast |last=Thom |first=Ian M. |authorlink= |coauthors=McMichael Canadian Art Collection |year= 2009 |publisher=Publisher Douglas & McIntyre |edition=illustrated |location= |isbn=1553654145, 9781553654148 |page=36 |pages= |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tKupaO3mzS0C&pg=PA36&dq=dzunukwa&hl=en&ei=HptITbjpKoblrAemhdm2BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=dzunukwa&f=false |accessdate=February 2, 2011}}</ref> It is often told to children that the sound of the wind blowing through the cedar trees is actually the call of Dzunukwa. Some myths say that she is able to bring herself back from the dead (an ability which she uses in some myths to revive her children) and regenerate any wound. She has limited eyesight, and can be easily avoided because she can barely see. She is also said to be rather drowsy, and dim-witted. However, she possesses great wealth and bestows it upon those who are able to get control of her child. In one myth a tribe tricks her into falling into a pit full of fire. The tribe burned her for many days until nothing is left, which prevented her from reviving herself. It is said that the ashes that came off the fire turned into mosquitoes. |
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At the end of a [[Kwakiutl]] [[potlatch]] ceremony, the host chief comes out bearing a mask of Dzunukwa which is called the ''geekumhl''. This is the sign that the ceremony is over. |
At the end of a [[Kwakiutl]] [[potlatch]] ceremony, the host chief comes out bearing a mask of Dzunukwa which is called the ''geekumhl''. This is the sign that the ceremony is over. |
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==In popular culture== |
==In popular culture== |
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A witch-spirit named Tsonokwa was the antagonist in the 1976 film ''[[Shadow of the Hawk]]''. |
A witch-spirit named Tsonokwa was the antagonist in the 1976 film ''[[Shadow of the Hawk]]''. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Sasquatch]] |
*[[Sasquatch]] |
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*[[Kwakwaka'wakw mythology]] |
*[[Kwakwaka'wakw mythology]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{refbegin}} |
{{refbegin}} |
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*Hawthorn, Audrey. (1988). ''Kwakiutl Art.'' University of Washington Press. ISBN 0888946120. |
*Hawthorn, Audrey. (1988). ''Kwakiutl Art.'' University of Washington Press. ISBN 0888946120. |
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Revision as of 23:55, 1 February 2011
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Dzunukwa, also Tsonoqua, Tsonokwa, is a figure in Kwakwaka'wakw mythology . She is an ancestor of the Namgis clan through her son, Tsilwalagame. She is venerated as a bringer of wealth, but is also greatly feared by children, because she is also known as an ogress who steals children and carries them home in her basket to eat.
Her appearance is that of a naked, pale-skinned[citation needed], old monster with long pendulous breasts. In masks and totem pole images she is shown with bright red pursed lips, because she is said to give off the call "Hu!" She is also described having a bedraggled hair.[1] It is often told to children that the sound of the wind blowing through the cedar trees is actually the call of Dzunukwa. Some myths say that she is able to bring herself back from the dead (an ability which she uses in some myths to revive her children) and regenerate any wound. She has limited eyesight, and can be easily avoided because she can barely see. She is also said to be rather drowsy, and dim-witted. However, she possesses great wealth and bestows it upon those who are able to get control of her child. In one myth a tribe tricks her into falling into a pit full of fire. The tribe burned her for many days until nothing is left, which prevented her from reviving herself. It is said that the ashes that came off the fire turned into mosquitoes.
At the end of a Kwakiutl potlatch ceremony, the host chief comes out bearing a mask of Dzunukwa which is called the geekumhl. This is the sign that the ceremony is over.
In popular culture
A witch-spirit named Tsonokwa was the antagonist in the 1976 film Shadow of the Hawk.
See also
References
- ^ Thom, Ian M. (2009). Challenging traditions: contemporary First Nations art of the Northwest Coast (illustrated ed.). Publisher Douglas & McIntyre. p. 36. ISBN 1553654145, 9781553654148. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: invalid character (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)
- Hawthorn, Audrey. (1988). Kwakiutl Art. University of Washington Press. ISBN 0888946120.
- Jonaitis, Aldona. (1991). Chiefly Feasts: The Enduring Kwakiutl Potlatch. University of Washington Press. ISBN 0295971142.
- McDowell, Jim. (1997). Hamatsa: The Enigma of Cannibalism on the Pacific Northwest Coast. Ronsdale Press. ISBN 0921870477.
- Wallas, James and Whitaker, Pamela. (1989). Kwakiutl Legends. Hancock House Publishing. ISBN 0888392303.