Totem Poles of the Haida Nation
Types of Haida Totem Poles
House Frontal Poles
House Frontal Totem Poles stand up against the outside front of the house. The Pole carries the histories and crests of the family within, proclaiming their identity, worth and social standing. ​The pole is carved from a cedar log that is split in half vertically. The back is hollowed out to lessen the weight and the Pole stands flush against the house (Stewart 1990, 25).
Memorial Poles
A Memorial Pole is placed before a house but is not attached. The Pole is raised about a year after a Chief's death. It consists of a crest at the base or top and can be elaborately carved along its full length. Figures are carved to depict special achievements or events in the deceased's life. When the Pole is raised, the new Chief is responsible for throwing the potlatch. This serves as validation of his or her new role (Stewart 1990, 25-26).
Mortuary Poles
After the death of a high ranking Nation member, Mortuary Totems are carved with the crest of the deceased. A large cavity is cut into the upper end of the log for eventual placement of the deceased's body. For the first year after death, the body is placed in an elaborate painted chest or box and stored in a mortuary house. During this time, the community gathers gifts and food to prepare for the Totem Pole raising and potlatch ceremony. During the ceremony, the remains are placed into a smaller, undecorated box, and placed into the cavity of the mortuary pole. The top is covered with dirt and sod to seal the remains (Stewart 1990, 26).
Shame Poles
Currently, examples of this type of pole only exist in museums. Shame poles were originally carved for Chiefs who wanted to ridicule a rival or to scorn another for a misdeed. The misdeed was publicly proclaimed by the raising of this type of pole. The carving usually represented the person in some unflattering way and only came down after the subject of the ridicule redeemed themselves (Stewart 1990, 26).
