USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Totem poles would not necessarily tell a story so much as it would serve to document stories and histories familiar to community members or particular family or clan members. A totem pole typically features symbolic and stylized human, animal, and supernatural forms.

Detailed explanation-2: -The stories that totem poles tell may be a myth, a legend, or honour Indigenous peoples through symbols. The crests on a totem pole belong to a family and tell its story. Once the stories of each crest are known, the totem poles really come alive.

Detailed explanation-3: -The totem pole (also known as a monumental pole) is a tall structure carved out of cedar wood, created by Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples to serve variously as a signboard, genealogical record and memorial. Some well-known carvers include Mungo Martin, Charles Edenshaw, Henry Hunt, Richard Hunt and Stanley Hunt.

Detailed explanation-4: -This type of pole, usually 20 to 40 ft (6 to 12 m) tall is the most decorative. Its carvings tell the story of the family, clan or village who own them. These poles are also known as heraldic, crest, or family poles.

Detailed explanation-5: -The tall, carved logs called totem poles were erected by prominent people among certain Northwest Coast Indians. The carved and painted faces on a pole represented the owner’s totem animal or bird. A totem was a person’s mythical ancestor and might help in gaining power in war, hunting, whaling, or other activities.