|
Address: P.O. Box 985, Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC
Canada, V8W 9W2
Directory:
General Information: (250) 387 3701
Toll Free (Can/USA): 1 888 447 7977
Group Bookings: (250) 387 2944
Royal Museum Shop: (250) 356 0505
Friends of Royal BC Museum: (250) 387 3676
Opening hours: 9-17; closed Christmas and New
Year's Day
http://rbcm1.rbcm.gov.bc.ca
http://www.RoyalBCMuseum.bc.ca
Archaeological excavations at Yuquot in Nootka Sound
present scientific evidence that the history of
Nuu-chah-nulth goes back at least 5000 to 7000 years. Many
of the artifacts and stories in this exhibit, which have
named HuupuKwanum, Tupaat Treasures of Nuu-chah-nulth
Chiefs tell of the long continuity of Canadian culture.
Many of 241 artifacts and 75 images, some drawn from
museums and private collections around the world, have
never before been on public exhibition.
Once known as Nootka, Nuu-chah-nulth live along the West
coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, and US Olympic
Peninsula. This vibrant, contemporary culture has roots
that go back centuries. Its artistry, ceremony and
spiritual life express reverence for the sea, land and
creatures.
Out of the Mist collapses time by bringing together
objects from 18th century to present. These evoke the
presence of Nuu-chah-nulth ancestors and reveal concepts
at the heart of the culture.
Power or Ritual
Everything is one, say Nuu-chah-nulth people. All things
in physical world originate in the spiritual world and
many activities require spiritual powers that are acquired
through rituals.
These can be as simple as washing the hands, or complex
and demanding involving years of purification and rigorous
training. Wolf Society ceremony, the highest spiritual
practice in Nuu-chah-nulth ceremonial life, is sacred. The
exhibit offers a glimpse of the ceremony that allows
elders to teach children about their heritage, who they
are related to, and their songs and values. Priceless
artifacts include giant Serpent headdress, complex and
dramatic transformation masks and rare woven whalers'
hats.
Nuu-chah-nulth
can be translated as "All
Along the Mountains". Once known as
Nootka, name given by Capt. James Cook in 1778,
the 19 nations decided on Nuu-chah-nulth as their
collective name, nearly 200 years later.
HuupuKwanum
means all the treasures, tangible and intangible,
that the chief holds for nation and includes
territories, names, songs, dances, masks and
privileges.
Tupaat is an
equivalent expression to HuupuKwanum,
but in Southern Ditidaht language that denotes
ceremonial rights achieved by spiritual quest and
owned by chiefs and commoners.
Nuu-chah-nulth chiefs, elders, contemporary
artists and other members of the nations had
day-to-day involvement in planning, interpretation
and appropriate display of this ground-breaking
exhibit.
|
Besides the museum, one
could enjoy Royal Museum Shops and Museum Cafe.
|
