PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST KWAKWAKA'WAKW (KWAKIUTL) CEREMONIAL BONE WHISTLE, HAMATSA SOCIETY. Pacific Northwest Coast Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) ceremonial bone whistle, Hamatsa society. Whistles are made from animal bones, likely deer or elk leg bones. Tag reads: "Hamatsa (Cannible society) Whistle by Simon Charlie, Kwakiutl" (The word "Cannible" is likely a misspelling of Cannibal.). It was made by artist SIMON CHARLIE. The Hamatsa is the most prestigious secret society of the Kwakwaka'wakw. The society is part of the Winter Ceremonials and involves themes of the Cannibal Spirit, Baxwbakwalanuxwsiwe (Man Eater at the North End of the World). Bone whistles (and other noisemakers) are traditionally used during these ceremonies to represent the eerie cries of the spirit world and the Cannibal Spirit itself. Estimate $150-250
