Tsimshian Naxnox Masks
Sara Hughes
What is Naxnox?
The naxnox are Tsimshian primordial powers, sometimes considered spirits, monsters, or supernaturals.
Although naxnox are real beings, the term generally refers to the supernatural power, not the being. Naxnox power can become
manifested in a human, an object, and even a dance; this materialization of power is termed halait.
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Naxnox Names
When a person acquires the power of a naxnox, he receives with it a name which must be validated by a public performance,
similar to what we have seen with the naming ceremony at the potlatch. Names are received individually and obtained
through the house that a person, man or woman, belongs to.
The types of names that people acquired are often attributed to foreign peoples, undesirable physical and personality traits, as well as human actions,
and animals. Some examples are: Stupid Tlingit, Big Person, Mannish Woman, Choking While Eating, and Porcupine. Naxnox names are all connected as
being cultural infirmities that threaten the life of the Tsimshian social structure; they all either influence physical death or cultural death
Gitsontk
“The Gitsontk were the professional group of artists, song composers and organizers of the dramatizations who were all men
who had received supernatural powers…The ability to carve, plan and operate novel mechanical masks or other objects, or compose
songs was considered a manifestation of the powers which the individual had received.”
– Marjorie Halpin
Naxnox Masks
“Naxnox masks are instruments of transformation which turned their wearers inside-out to reveal those
attributes of person and action normally denied, especially to those of high status”
– Halpin
"By taking on an identity that is not yourself, you are able to see what rules you need to live by; you reveal those vulnerable margins and
attacking forces which threaten to destroy social order; the halait harnesses these powers." - Halpin
The White Man Mask
When a person received the naxnox name White Man, a gitsontk created a carved wooden mask in the likeness of a white man, and the wearer entered the
big house in front of an audience performing as thoughhe were a white man. Fully dressed the part, he rolled out a barrel of whiskey and offered it to the chiefs.
After appearing quite drunk, he brought in another barrel, and was accompanied by his bustle-wearing wife, Conceited White Woman. From then on,
the performer owned the name White Man and the power of the naxnox associated with it, which could be summoned to help in difficult situations.
Conclusion
The naxnox ceremonies, performed until the early 20th century, always preceded a potlatch. The naxnox halait contained a ritual chaos which
was not balanced in the end, so the potlatch following it would be a celebration of order, social relationship and continuity of culture and lineage.
Additional Reading
Comments (5)
Sara Hughes said
at 8:30 am on May 27, 2009
whoa sorry guys, someone messed with my page! those aren't my mask images...I will fix it today
Sara Hughes said
at 8:46 am on May 27, 2009
okay everything is back to normal
Marissa said
at 7:28 pm on May 28, 2009
Sara, I thought your topic was rather interesting having taken some other Native American art history courses and was excited to learn more about naxnox masks in particular. One of the most intriguing things for me was brought up in your presentation in fact when you talked about the creation of the masks, both in the past and today, as well as their performance and use. Its still one of those things that is rather hard to imagine or conjure up in your head how the "turning the world upside down" really occurred, but the ideas are very interesting. One of the most interesting points I made note of from your presentation was on the idea of being afraid of the mask's great powers, when you were talking about reasons the masks might not be created today. Before you brought up that point, it had always perplexed me why a tribe for example would "claim" that a cultural object had such significance yet they didn't want to create something like it for themselves. I understood the beliefs surrounding rights to create or use certain images but for the naxnox masks, there are so few being made now (if any) I was interested in learning about them coming back/being popular again. The idea of such great powers behind them though gives a better explanation that just hadn't even crossed my mind.
gbk29@... said
at 12:16 pm on Jun 3, 2009
Your page is well organized and I enjoy each section being broken up by a picture and a title. The intriguing aspect of the naxnox masks for me is found in the quote "By taking on an identity that is not yourself, you are able to see what rules you need to live by..." the notion of becoming someone or something else in order to look back at oneself and evaluting the forces surrounding you. For the Naxnox it was valuable to see your role in the social order and then act from your role to sustain that order. I'm very interested in the power of masks in general and the Naxnox are experts in expressing what they can do to a person psychologically and within a culture. Great topic!
kelseyrn said
at 6:57 pm on Jun 3, 2009
I also enjoyed that you place quotes in your page. The one I found particularly interesting was:
“Naxnox masks are instruments of transformation which turned their wearers inside-out to reveal those attributes of person and action normally denied, especially to those of high status”
– Halpin
I love the idea of release that Naxnox masks and the ceremony provide for the wearers and the village. I have been around theater sence a young child and can't help but see the connection between these actors and western actors. I believe for both it is a freeing experience to step into a new role; to be allowed/encouraged to act in ways that would not normally be appropriate. I also see it as a learning tool. It is a way to reaffirm through demonstration the proper rules of society, role of people, in a sense what not to do. I understand the power that these masks hold is considerd vary dangerous, but perhaps it would be worth the risk to revive some aspect of this ancient tradition.
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