Alright, let’s talk about them wood carved thingamajigs, the, uh, totem poles, yeah, that’s what they call ‘em. I ain’t no expert, mind you, but I seen a few in my time, and I reckon I can tell ya a thing or two.
First off, them poles, they ain’t just some fancy decorations, no sir. They got stories to tell, like them picture books my grandkids read, only these are made outta wood and stand taller than a barn. Folks back in the day, they used ‘em to remember folks who passed on, or to show off who’s who in their family, like a big ol’ family tree, but standin’ up straight instead of layin’ down.
What kind of wood, you ask? Well, mostly they use that red cedar wood. Why? ‘Cause it’s big, real big, and it’s kinda soft when it’s still wet, so you can carve it up real nice. And it lasts a long time, don’t rot away too quick, which is important if you want your story to stick around for a while. Imagine carving somethin’ up and then it just falls apart next year, what’s the point, right?
- Big and Tall: Some of them poles, they’re taller than a house, way taller! I heard some are even taller than a hundred feet! That’s like, what, twenty of me standin’ on each other’s shoulders? Crazy, ain’t it?
- Pictures Tell a Story: And them carvin’s, they ain’t just random doodles. They got animals, birds, all sorts of critters, and each one means somethin’. Like, a bear might mean strength, and an eagle might mean, I dunno, seein’ things from up high, or somethin’ like that. It’s like a secret code, only everyone back then knew what it meant.
- Different Poles for Different Folks: Not all poles are the same, ya know. Some are for tellin’ stories, some are for standin’ in front of a house, some are for rememberin’ folks who died, and some are even for shamin’ someone, like if they did somethin’ wrong. Kinda like puttin’ their dirty laundry out for everyone to see, but with wood. And some poles is just for welcomin’ folks, sayin’ “howdy” without sayin’ a word.
Now, makin’ one of these poles, that ain’t no easy task. You gotta find a good piece of wood, then you gotta chop it down, and haul it back, which is hard work in itself. Then you gotta carve it all up, which takes time and skill. You can’t just go whittlin’ away like you’re makin’ a toothpick, ya gotta plan it out, know what you’re doin’. And the paintin’, oh, that’s important too. They use bright colors, reds and blacks and blues, makes them pictures pop out so you can see ‘em from far away.
I remember seein’ one of these poles once, up close. It was at some kinda fair, and they had a fella there carvin’ one. He was usin’ all sorts of tools, big chisels and little knives, and he was makin’ it look so easy, but I bet it ain’t. He was tellin’ us all about the animals he was carvin’, and how they fit into the story. It was pretty interestin’, I gotta say. Learned a thing or two, even at my age.
Thinkin’ of makin’ your own little pole? Well, I guess you could try. Maybe start with somethin’ small, like a stick, and carve some little pictures on it. Use some bright colors, make it look purdy. You don’t gotta use no fancy red cedar, just find a piece of wood that’s easy to carve. And remember, it’s all about the story, what you wanna say with your wood. Even if it ain’t perfect, it’ll still be somethin’ you made with your own two hands, and that’s somethin’ to be proud of.
So, next time you see one of them wood carved totem poles, take a minute to look at it, really look at it. Think about the folks who made it, and the stories they were tryin’ to tell. It’s like a piece of history, standin’ right there in front of ya, and it’s a whole lot more interestin’ than anythin’ you’ll see on that there TV, that’s for sure.
And that’s about all I know about them totem poles, not much, but enough to get ya thinkin’, I reckon. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go feed the chickens.
Tags: [Totem Poles, Wood Carving, Native American Art, Red Cedar, Storytelling, Cultural Heritage, Traditional Crafts]
Original article by the Author:yixunnet,If you intend to republish this content, please attribute the source accordingly:https://www.suntrekenergy.com/3612.html
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