lukwalił (Feast Dish)

Large feast dishes were used primarily to hold food served to guests at winter dance ceremonies and potlatches, as well as on other important social occasions. They also served as symbols of wealth and prestige. The figures represented on feast dishes were family crests and privileges. Important feast bowls were named.

This dish was probably made sometime from the 1860s to 1890s. At some point before 1950, it was transferred as dowry from the Kwakwaka’wakw: Kwikwasutinexw Gwa’yasdams (Gilford Island, British Columbia) to Dzawada’enuxw village of Gwa’yi (Kingcome Inlet) [Rita Barnes, Kwakwaka’wakw elder, 2002].

ceremonial; potlatch; status

Pursed lips indicate Dzunuk'wa (or Tsonoqua), a member of a family of giants believed to have lived far in the woods. She was reported to be both powerful and wealthy, as well as slow and stupid. She was reported to steal children; her lips are red from their blood. Her recessed eyes indicate that she cannot see well. Crescents in her eyes indicate she is blind or asleep.

Large, wooden feast dish carved in the form of two matching, slightly-reclined Dzunuk'wa figures. They face each other with their hands clutching their bent legs; deeply hollowed centre. Thick black lines, painted over a grey background outline the anatomical forms. Mask-like faces are nailed onto hollow heads. Protruding ears are attached separately. Their lips are pursed and protrude, red eyes are recessed, large black defined eyebrows and high cheekbones are carved into faces.