Door to the Klemtu big house containing four totemic figures representing the Klemtu kinship groups.

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The door to the Klemtu big house is decorated with four totemic figures representing the four different kinship groups of Klemtu, each of which has a legendary relationship with the totemic figure. Indeed, the word "totem" refers to a symbolic relationship existing between natural phenomena (usually animals) and humans. It is the archetypal symbol, animal or plant, of hereditary clan affiliations. People from the same clan have the same clan totem and are considered immediate family. It is taboo to marry someone of the same clan. In this view you can see the four totemic figures representing the people of Klemtu: Eagle: Great Strength, Leadership and Prestige (lower right) Raven: Creation & Knowledge - Bringer of the Light (upper left) Wolf: Intelligence & Leadership - Strong Sense of Family (lower left) Killer whale: Traveler & Guardian - Symbol of Good (upper right)

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Size: 3600px × 2700px
Location: Klemtu village, Swindle Island, British Columbia, Canada
Photo credit: © Terry Allen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: bear, big, british, carved, clan, columbia, door, eagle, figure, figures, great, groups, house, island, killer, kinship, klemtu, long, rainforest, raven, swindle, totem, totemic, whale, wolf