We can often see totem poles in Vancouver. There is a very tall totem pole standing beside the Maritime Museum in Kitsilano and there are several totem poles in Stanley Park. It is said that the world tallest totem pole is standing in Victoria. Though I didn't know well, the Pacific northwest coast of North America, that is where I am right now, is the mecca for totem poles. I think a totem pole is one of the most popular historical monuments such as a pyramid in Egypt. It is so popular that even a little child knows about it. I remember that I carved a short totem pole with my class mates when we graduated from elementary school. Despite our common impression to totem poles, they are not so old. According to my research, no totem pole which was erected before 1800 exists now because all of them were rotten and broken down. It is said that Native people have no custom to maintain their totem poles and they have let them fall down in the harsh weather.
I like totem poles =]
And in my room, there are 2 small totems. hehe* I got them at gift shop in Vancouver. They caught my heart XD SO CUTE!!
Posted by: rei | February 23, 2007 at 05:10 AM