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Object Number 41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.1
Display Title Drawings of the Anishinaabe doodem (clan) system, title card
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.
Date 1907-1908
Culture
  • Anishinaabe
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
North America / United States
Dimensions Overall: 8.89 × 13.335 cm (3 1/2 × 5 1/4 in.)
Provenance
Collector Frances Densmore

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PrimaryMedia Object Number Title Classification Geography/Provenience SHARE
Image Not Available for Drawings of the Anishinaabe doodem (clan) system
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3 Drawings of the Anishinaabe doodem (clan) system
United States
Drawing of Anishinaabe doodem
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.11 Drawing of Anishinaabe doodem
United States
Note from Densmore to Bushnell with drawings of of the Anishinaabe doodem (clan) system
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.2 Note from Densmore to Bushnell with drawings of of the Anishinaabe doodem (clan) system
United States
Bineshii (bird)
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.5 Bineshii (bird)
United States
Aajijak (crane)
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.9 Aajijak (crane)
United States
Wolf
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.6 Wolf
United States
Waabizheshi (marten)
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.13 Waabizheshi (marten)
United States
Giigo (fish)
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.12 Giigo (fish)
United States
Aajijak (ojijak, crane)
41-72-10/100243.1.26.3.4 Aajijak (ojijak, crane)
United States
!Gai and two visiting men washing by a fire (print is a cropped image)
2001.29.27702 !Gai and two visiting men washing by a fire (print is a cropped image)
/Ai Ha !O Pan
Divining outfit
22-2-50/B3133 Divining outfit
Charm
Cameroon
!Gai and two visiting men washing by a fire
2001.29.21443 !Gai and two visiting men washing by a fire
/Ai Ha !O Pan