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Object Number
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3
Display Title
Drawings of the Anishinaabe doodem (clan) system
Descriptions
Object Description
The Anishinaabeg were given the odoodemiwug (clans) by the Creator to govern themselves, to distinguish leadership roles, and to strengthen the community. The stem “doodem” is the source of the English word “totem.” The primary odoodemiwug are maang (loon), aajijak (crane), giigo (fish), makwa (bear), waabizheshi (marten), bineshii (bird), and waawaashkeshi (deer). Each Anishinaabe belongs to a doodem passed down from their father, and always introduces themselves by their clan. When a child is born to a family without a doodem, that child may be adopted into any clan by a member. The Peabody is home to this rich Anishinaabe patrimony: 11 drawings of different odoodemiwug drawn by a number of Anishinaabe leaders and medicine men (identified here when possible), collected by the anthropologist Frances Densmore between 1907 and 1908.
Department
Archival, Paper
Date
1907-1908
Culture
- Anishinaabe
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
North America
/
United States
Materials
Graphite on Paperboard
Dimensions
Overall: 8.89 × 13.335 cm (3 1/2 × 5 1/4 in.)
Important Note about Historical Language
Collections records may contain language, reflecting past collecting practices and methods of analysis, that is no longer acceptable. The Peabody Museum is committed to addressing the problem of offensive and discriminatory language present in its database. Our museum staff are continually updating these records, adding to and improving content. We welcome your feedback and any questions or concerns you may want to share. Please email us with your comments.
| PrimaryMedia | Object Number | Title | Classification | Geography/Provenience | SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.1 | Drawings of the Anishinaabe doodem (clan) system, title card |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.11 | Drawing of Anishinaabe doodem |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.13 | Waabizheshi (marten) |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.5 | Bineshii (bird) |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.9 | Aajijak (crane) |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.6 | Wolf |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.12 | Giigo (fish) |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.2 | Note from Densmore to Bushnell with drawings of of the Anishinaabe doodem (clan) system |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.4 | Aajijak (ojijak, crane) |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.10 | Makwa (bear) |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.7 | Migizi (eagle) |
United States
| ||
| 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.3 | Name (sturgeon) |
United States
|