tribal totem alert bay british colombia

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Tribal totem in Alert Bay, British Colombia Royalty Free Stock Photo

The tribal totem in Alert Bay, British Colombia holds the record for the tallest totem in existence at 173 feet.The carvings were created by several artists and they represent the various tribes of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations. Totem poles are not religious objects, but they do communicate important aspects of native culture. Carvings of animals and other characters typically represent characters or events in a story. The carvings may symbolize or commemorate cultural beliefs that recount familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events. The poles may also serve as functional architectural features, welcome signs for village visitors or mortuary vessels for the remains of deceased ancestors.