Totem Poles
by Pat Kramer
Totem poles are first planned in meetings between the artist / carver, the pole's commissioning body, and elders (if necessary). A place to carve the pole must be arranged and a lumber company consulted to provide a "clear"tree. Clear trees have few knots or imperfections. In some cases, the carver will travel into the woods to inspect the tree before it is cut down and occasionally, the carver personally fells the tree. Meanwhile, design preliminaries are made on paper and the design is repeatedly brought to its owner for approval. The design is finalized.
Sometimes a small model of the pole is carved to see how each figure will be integrated into the total design. Workers prepare blocks to elevate the log to a convenient horizontal height for the carvers to work without bending. Totem pole carving tools, custom-made for the purpose, are sharpened. All is made ready for the arrival of the log.
The tree is delivered to the carving shed, where it is debarked and tested for imperfections. Some trees contain hollow centres that lie undetected. These must be uncovered and repaired, or the log is rejected. Once the outer bark is removed, the wood is given a cursory smoothing.Sometimes elders are called in to say prayers over the log and ask it to release its spirit to the carvers.
The artist or master carver draws the outlines of the approved design onto the wood and the sapwood is feathered away. The tree is very fragrant at this time and its heady aroma fills the carving shed. Carvers now begin tosing songs to the log and talk to it as they work. The figures begin to emerge from the wood.
Most carvers begin from the bottom of the pole, moving gradually to the top. Bottom figures are carefully detailed because observers see these figures close-up. The flow of the design between characters is sometimes revised from the original plan. The master carver chops out the rough forms , then discusses the overall concept with each of the new apprentices as they arrive.
Morale is a matter for the master carver, who is expected to inspire the team. A team of apprentice carvers now arrives to help with the carving, and they begin to work under the guidance and inspiration of the master carver. The bottom end of the pole and important details are finished by the master, while the outlines and top end of the pole are completed by the apprentices.
Finally, the shapes are refined and the final form of the finished pole is evident. Various finishing techniques are applied, attention being paid to each detail: the tail of Beaver is cross- hatched; each eye is carefully delineated. Carvers work in teams of one to three persons and take frequent breaks. Small poles take two or three months; large poles up to eight or nine months to finish.
The duration of the project is determined by the length of the pole and the money available to pay the carvers. Paint is applied, if necessary, and arrangements for the raising ceremony are made. Incising and other details are added with the approval of the master carver. At this point, some poles are washed and cleansed.
Finally, the pole lies in wait for its moment of glory—the raising ceremony.
Answer the following questions.
Q1. According to the article, why might a tree be rejected?
Q2. Why does the master carver concentrate on the bottom section of the pole?
Q3. Which statement is true about the apprentices?
Q4. Which word best describes the process of carving a totem pole?
A. cursory
B. individual
C. cooperative
D. spontaneous
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