Description
The Kwakwa?ka??wakw are one of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Their current population, according to a 2016 census, is 3,665. Most live in their traditional territory on northern Vancouver Island, nearby smaller islands including the Discovery Islands, and the adjacent British Columbia mainland. Some also live outside their homelands in urban areas such as Victoria and Vancouver. Kwakwa?ka??wakw oral history says their ancestors (?na?mima) came in the forms of animals by way of land, sea, or underground. Some ancestors have human origins and are said to come from distant places.
Language
Kwakiutl language or Kwak'wala is a Wakashan language of the Northwest Coast
Culture
Kwakwaka?wakw music is the ancient art of the Kwakwa?ka??wakw peoples. The music is an ancient art form, stretching back thousands of years. The Kwakwa?ka??wakw built their houses from cedar planks, which are highly water resistant. In summer, men wore no clothing except jewelry. In the winter, they usually rubbed fat on themselves to keep warm. In battle the men wore red cedar armor and helmets, and breech clouts made from cedar. During ceremonies they wore circles of cedar bark on their ankles as well as cedar breech clouts. The women wore skirts of softened cedar, and a cedar or wool blanket on top during the winter. Kwakwa?ka??wakw transportation was similar to that of other coastal people. Being an ocean and coastal people, they travelled mainly by canoe.