Heiltsuk (sometimes called Bella Bella) are the indigenous people of the central coast of British Columbia. Historically, Heilzuk had its own territories and winter villages with cedar houses with gable roofs and carved internal pillars.
Carved pillar depicting a man with an eagle beak. A man clutched in his paws is the personification of the superiority of the eagle ancestor over people. According to legend, the inhabitants of the land of Heiltsuk were animals capable of transforming into humans. It tells how an eagle with the appearance of a man saw a whale in the water and seized it. The eagle devoured the whale by spraying it with guts. The island of Yalatli was formed from the guts. The eagle settled on this island, and after becoming a man received the name Vigvilba (eagle's nose).
Heiltsuk were woodworkers. They made canoes and chests from cedar bark.
Shaman's rattle "Sun Face".
Chest.
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They were engaged in fishing, hunting for birds and animals, and gathering. At the end of winter, the Heiltsuk families moved to summer camps. They exchanged resources with other tribes.
The Heiltsuk society was structured hierarchically: the chief boss, the boss, the manager, the common person and the person from the lower strata of society.
Heiltsuki were divided into clans. The most important clan was the Raven clan. The clans of the Eagle, Whale and Wolf obeyed him.
The Heiltsuk nation continues to exist to this day.
Cradle.
Cudgel for punishing slaves.
Skull bucket.