“Where is the totem pole?” That was a question asked frequently over the last few days. It took Uncle Harold Joe, a Canadian master carver from the Cowichan First Nation, and his assistant George Rice six weeks to carve Cologne’s first totem pole. Many Cologne residents have been dropping by regularly to check on the progress and have often even lent a hand themselves. And so, a more or less ordinary giant fir tree from the woods near Dormagen was transformed into a unique totem pole.
Of course, it hadn’t actually disappeared; it had simply been draped in a black cloth ahead of its ceremonial unveiling on Saturday, 5 October. At 3.00 pm, the moment had finally arrived. The totem pole was unveiled in a ceremony conducted by the two carvers.
Together with Hwiemtun, they sang the first verses of two significant ceremonial songs. No sooner had the traditional chants faded away than the totem pole was unveiled amidst the murmurs of the onlookers and the clicking of cameras. Around 300 spectators watched the proceedings. Some happened to be passing by. But many had come especially for the unveiling, either because they’d been allowed to lend a hand in carving the totem pole themselves, or because they’d been following the project over the past few weeks and now wanted to admire the result.
Interest on the final day was simply enormous. Time and again, people approached us with questions and sought a chat. Lively discussions ensued, which often resulted in someone becoming a forest sponsor. And long after the official part had ended, the people of Cologne posed for a souvenir photo in front of ‘their’ totem pole.
For anyone who missed the ceremony today, there is the consolation that Germany’s largest totem pole will remain on display in front of the Globetrotter store for another six months. On 15 May 2014, it will be transferred to the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum on permanent loan as part of the Cologne Wilderness Run.
There will be more weaving workshops using the totem pole’s bark in just a few weeks’ time, when the ‘Globe Welt’ outdoor and travel festival takes place in Cologne on 9–10 November 2013. There, we will not only be doing crafts with cedar bark, but above all presenting our vision of environmental protection. At ‘Globe Welt’, there will also be an opportunity to purchase posters from the totem pole campaign in return for a donation.
The ‘A Totem Pole for Cologne’ campaign fills us with pride. Together, we have sent a message in support of forest conservation right in the heart of Cologne’s pedestrian zone.
Text: Jenin Ziemens
Photos (c): Wilderness International, Sami Fayed