what is a totem pole?

Answer 1

It comes from the Native American Indians.
A pole is a symbol of unity, tradition and pride. It represents a family's histories, relationships, stories, beliefs and experiences. A pole shows animals and mythical figures associated with a family - they are called crests
Although made before the arrival of Europeans (late 1700s), poles became increasingly popular during the 1800s. The fur trade had made people wealthy, and encouraged greater displays of privilege and rank. Greater access to metal tools allowed artists to carve cedar quickly and with more precision. Although pole production declined in the early 1900s, they continue to be made today, commissioned by Native communities and produced commercially by artists.

Answer 2

The beginnings of totem pole construction are not known. Being made of wood they decay easily in the rain forest environment of the Northwest Coast, so no examples of poles carved before 1800 exist. However 18th century accounts of European explorers along the coast indicate that poles certainly existed at that time, although small and few in number. In all likelihood, the freestanding poles seen by the first European explorers were preceded by a long history of monumental carving, particularly interior house posts. Edward Malin (1986) has proposed a theory of totem pole development which describes totem poles as progressing from house posts, funerary containers, and memorial markers into symbols of clan and family wealth and prestige. He argues that the center of pole construction was centered around the Haida people of the Queen Charlotte Islands, from whence it spread outward to the Tsimshian and Tlingit and then down the coast to the tribes of British Columbia and northern Washington. The regional stylistic differences between poles would then be due not to a change in style over time, but instead to application of existing regional artistic styles to a new medium.


The disruptions following Euro-American trade and settlement first led to a florescence and then to a decline in the cultures and totem pole carving. The widespread importation of Euro-American iron and steel tools led to much more rapid and accurate production of carved wooden goods, including poles. It is not certain whether iron tools were actually introduced by Europeans, or whether iron tools were already produced aboriginally from drift iron recovered from Oriental shipwrecks; nevertheless Europeans simplified the acquisition of iron tools whose use greatly enhanced totem pole construction. The fur trade gave rise to a tremendous accumulation of wealth among the coastal peoples, and much of this wealth was spent and distributed in lavish potlatches frequently associated with the construction and erection of totem poles. Poles were commissioned by many wealthy leaders to represent their social status and the importance of their families and clans. As the fur trade declined the incidence of poverty on the coast increased. Christian missionaries reviled the totem pole as an object of heathen worship—which it was not—and urged converts to cease production and destroy existing poles

Answer 3

a totem pole is a peace of wood carved out into differnt eagles depicting tribis of indiens

Answer 4

Totom poles are made by the natives on the west coast of Canada, usally from Cedar logs.The poles are used to tell a story, or "myth".Differant tribes have differant designs and styles.there are a number of books about them and the people who made them, check the web , and the library!

Answer 5

google totem pole

Answer 6

A very powerful symbol of respect, it honors the gods of some native Americans, particularly those in the northwest.

Answer 7

it is a carved pole that comes from the native american heritage