NAVIGATION

A Very Rare Inuit Shaman’s Pouch
Comprising: ‘divine’ magical objects, gaming pieces, human teeth, amulets, needles, wedges, shell
Skin, sinew, walrus, teeth, bone
Inuit / Bering Strait
19th Century or earlier

SIZE: 7cm high, 13cm wide, 8.5cm deep - 2¾ ins high, 5 ins wide, 3¼ ins deep

Shamanism goes back to the Ice Age spreading with migrating ancient settlers around the remote lands of the North Pacific. The Shaman’s main practice was to communicate with the spirits, supplicating them for success in hunting, for help in healing, and in divination, thus ensuring survival for the peoples living in a harsh environment. In their original beliefs, before the early 20th century, the Eskimo had no conception of a single supreme being. Their spirit world was made up of shades or ‘Tunghât’ which exist independently of any central authority and can be seen by the shaman. The people have great faith in the power and wisdom of the shaman to whom all questions of religion and the mysteries of the invisible world are referred. The shaman can see the shades of both dead people and animals, as well as the ‘Tunghât’ of inanimate objects such as trees and rivers, all of which are invisible to all others. Shaman are believed to make journeys to the land of the dead and these spirits will come at his call to do tasks of his bidding, and sometimes even the shade of a dead shaman will come to help.
     Shamanic regalia embodied their mystery and power, and without it a shaman could not establish his authority among humans or venture safely into the spirit world.
     The power of the amulet was ascertained by a shaman. Alternatively awareness of an object’s potential as a charm might be revealed spontaneously in a dream. Once acquired and recognised for its power an amulet would be handed down from generation to generation either along family lines or along lineage or clan lines.

Ex Private English collection
Ex UK Art Market
Ex Private collection