Visual Arts
Christine Sioui Wawanoloath
Jeu d'échecs (detail)

The two figures represented here are approximately 3 inches tall. These are Klooskombe who is the main mythical hero of the Wabanaki culture and Nogami who is Klooskombe's ancestor. I represented Klooskombe as a youth with a mother-of-pearl sun shape on his head. He is holding his right hand over his heart. Nogami is also holding her right hand over her heart. She is wearing a moon-shaped headdress.
Jeu d'échecs (detail) (Chess set)
Christine Sioui Wawanoloath, 2003
Deer antler, ivory and abalone mother-of-pearl
Thumbnail of Triptyque 1 Courtisage Thumbnail of Triptyque 3 Séparation des sexes Thumbnail of Amerikas Thumbnail of Jeu d'échecs Thumbnail of Petite déesse rouge
Thumbnail of Triptyque 2 Danse nuptiale Thumbnail of Hommage sur des perles de maïs Thumbnail of La danse des ourses Thumbnail of Mali Mantawas

Christine Sioui and the Wabanaki tradition

Heroes of myth face off. Some are benevolent, while others do evil. Klooksombe protects and advises humans while Malsum, his wolf-headed twin brother, amuses himself creating harmful animals. They reign on the chessboard of creation. Worlds open up on the board, only to close again in the wake of cataclysms and transformations.
  And when the game itself turns into a necklace , what secret power do its pieces have if not to enchant?

 

Klooskombe (king) is the main mythical hero in Wabanaki culture. He teaches humans the names of the constellations, technology and philosophy.

Nogami (queen) has all the wisdom in the world. She is Klooskombe's ancestor.

Tegoak (bishop) means wave in Abenaki. The first man was born of the foam of waves.

Aki (bishop) means land in Abenaki. The first woman was born of a land plant.

Tolba (knight) means turtle in Abenaki. In Klooskombe's world, Turtle is a friend — she is also a great storyteller.

Padôgi (rook) is the thunderbird who protects humans. He has access to the celestial spheres.

The Megumoowesoos (pawns) are little nature spirits. They are very furry and play a magic flute.

Malsum (king) is jealous of Klooskombe and seeks to undo what Klooskombe has achieved.

Pook-Jin (queen) is a witch, and Klooskombe's enemy. She holds him captive on an island.

Lox (bishop) is Malsum's evil creature and combines the features of three animals.

Keeganibe (bishop) is a sea mammal with a dorsal fin like a sail.

Parsardokeppiart (knight) is a name for the mammoth. He refuses to shrink as Klooskombe requests. A cataclysm will make him disappear forever from the face of the earth.

Skog (rook) is an Abenaki word for snake. Klooskombe fights a giant snake, also called a dragon or monster.

The Weewilimecq (pawns) are small magical worms with horns. They can change into snakes.

 

The characters are onstage. The enigmas in the theatre of the world's creation have just begun to unfold.