Kwakwaka̱’wakw, Dzoonakwa and Ba̱kwa̱s
The Kwakwaka̱’wakw Tribe (pronounced "Quak Quak Ewok") are from northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. They are a part of the larger Kwakiutl First Nations People.
Wild Woman and Wild Man of the Woods
Dzoonakwa (Joo-na-kwa) is the Kwakwaka̱’wakw version of a Sasquatch. The Dzoonakwa, however, is a female creature and means "Wild Woman of the Woods." The Dzoonakwa tales were told as a warning to children not to wander off into the woods or else Dzoonakwa may take them and put them into the basket she wore on her back. It was said that she would often whistle during the night to lure children to her. The stories of Dzoonakwa are passed down during potlatch ceremonies, as are many other traditional stories. The Kwakwaka̱’wakw portray Dzoonakwa with bright red, pursed lips on their totem carvings and on the carved masks worn during potlatch performances.
A Dzoonakwa mask owned by Tribal member Ruby Dawson Cranmer. Image Source
Dzoonakwa images are used in many First Nations traditional carvings of totem poles, as she is seen as a "bringer of wealth." Image Source
This is a short video of a Tribal member telling the story he learned from the Elders about Dzoonakwa.
Bakwas (Bu-kwas) is the Kwakwaka̱’wakw "Wild Man of the Woods." He is depicted as smaller than a man with a hooked nose like a beak. He is also covered in shaggy, green hair. Bakwas is said to be a shy creature, and when this character dances in performances at potlatch ceremonies, he is seen looking on the ground for cockles, his favorite food that are like mussels and are found in the shallows around islands. Some stories claim Bakwas is the keeper of ghosts and will lure lost fisherman who land on the islands to eat food he offers, but if they do, they are turned into ghosts. Other stories say Bakwas helps lost fishermen and looks after them. The different versions of Bakwas' purpose may be attributed to the "medicine" the particular family has passed down, and also their individual experiences with the Bakwas. The description of Bakwas stays the same, though, even down to his wrist and ankle bands he wears, symbolizing the forest as his dwelling place.
This is a short video of a Tribal member telling the story of the Bakwas.
A Bakwas mask used in potlatch ceremonies Image Source