David Neel - Mountain Goat Hunter Mask

By Lattimer Gallery
Posted in News, on October 19, 2024

David Neel has recently completed three red cedar masks embodying three Kwakwaka'wakw stories. This is the story of the Mountain Goat Hunter as told by David Neel, summarized by Lattimer Gallery:

Many years ago, there was a time of great hunger. Tewi, the eldest son of the Chief, took his bow and arrow and promised to bring home mountain goats so his people could feast. Soon, four mountain goats began walking in his direction. Before Tewi could release his arrow, the first mountain goat, with human hands, lifted a flat stone from the ground, and the three other mountain goats followed him into a hole. Tewi was very curious and afraid of what he had seen, but remembering his promise to bring home food for his people, he decided to follow the mountain goats into the stone door. He eventually found himself in a huge cavern, with a large cedar house resembling the houses in his own village. He followed the sounds of drums and singing, and hid as to not make himself known. The Speaker of the House could feel something disrupting the ceremony, so he sent Mouse-Woman to see who it was. Mouse-Woman walked to where Tewi was hiding and told him to wait for her to come to him four times, then enter the house, announce himself and grab the feather in the Speaker's hand and not let go. Tewi did just this. When he entered the house, he saw many people, some human and some transforming into their mountain goat form. The Chief told Tewi that the supernatural feather has the power to kill game just by pointing with it, but he must not kill more than four mountain goats in a day, and he must not lay with a woman for four years, or the feather will lose its power, and he will be met with misfortune. Tewi agreed and placed the death-bringing feather in his headband and departed the house of mountain goats. On his way back towards the village, Tewi saw three mountain goats and pointed his feather at them. He brought them all back home and his family hosted a feast for their people. For many months, Tewi continued to hunt and feed the people in the village. One day, his former sweetheart asked him to come see her when everyone goes to sleep. He was at a loss for words, remembering the agreement he made with the Chief of the mountain goats. That night, Tewi could not sleep, so he quietly left to see his sweetheart. After his night was over, the feather flew out of his headband and disappeared into the darkness. At once, Tewi transformed into a mountain goat. Fearful he would be caught and eaten by his own people, he bolted from the house and ran into the forest, spending the rest of his days on the mountain.