Northwest Coast Big House

Northwest Coast Big House

Northwest Coast Big House
The large houses in Northwest villages have ceremonial names like Sun House, Shark House, or Killer Whale House. The houses are a part of the village like an important person. Some houses became as large as five hundred feet long and sixty feet wide. Most houses were homes for several related families. Some houses had raised terraces in the back part of the house.

The household fire sat below the first terrace in the center of the floor. The upper terrace was at the rear of the house and the families of highest rank stayed there. The head of this family held a special seat placed upon carved posts at the center of the upper terrace. Animals and symbols important as family emblems decorated posts and beams of the house. The door to the house was often a carved pole. The house "swallowed" those entering. The paintings and carvings of the house taught children about their family and tribal history.

Northwest Coast Big House