THE SKOOKUM

Reference:

Plate 1, Figure 3. Haida.

This figure depicts an evil spirit, half man, half bird,
known as Skookum. The mythical creature was supposed to live
in the high mountains, where its habits were considered similar
to those of the much more widely known Thunderbird; for both
chose to live among the mists and clouds on the mountain peaks
where they carried the whales upon which they lived. But it was
whispered that the Skookum whetted his appetite from time to
time by eating infant children and was also destructive to man
and beast; wherefore it was greatly feared by the Haida of long,
long ago. The word may even be heard among white loggers or
fishermen to-day in connection with that which is strong and
dangerous, such as a treacherous tide-rip, (e.g. "Skookum chuck"
equals "rapids" in Chinook jargon).

The original painting was made in 1873 by Geneskels, the
gifted Haida carver and tattooer (Deans, 1899). Sometimes
Skookum was known under the name of Oolala, and appears under
this name in the ceremonial Toquit dance.