It is still early in the morning when we arrive, accompanied by the two Indigenous men Harald Joe and George Rice from the Cowichan tribe on Vancouver Island, at the spot in the Dormagen forest where a huge arborvitae (Thuja) – also known as a cedar – had been felled.
We had been searching for almost a year for a suitable tree for our totem pole project in Cologne. It was only with the help of the Dormagen Association for the Protection of the German Forest (thanks to Mr Marc Pellekoorne) and Sami Fayed that we were able to locate this giant, which had to be felled due to rot in its trunk.
In 1897, the Prussian king had giant arborvitae trees from Canada planted in Dormagen. We breathe a sigh of relief when we notice that the two Native Americans are touching the trunk of the giant arborvitae in admiration. It is suitable for the ‘A Totem Pole for Cologne’ project, even though the diameter of the tree trunk, at approximately 85 cm, is much smaller than those found in Canada.
Harold Joe has brought his drum and calls on four men from our team to take part in the ceremony, during which we give thanks to the tree for having given its life so that a totem pole might be created. George Rice, Klaus Weichbrodt (branch manager of Globetrotter Cologne), Kai Andersch (CEO of Wilderness International Germany) and David MacDonald (Director of Wilderness International Canada) walk round the trunk to the sound of the drum and Harold Joe’s singing, carrying water containers and each holding a branch from the giant tree of life, and sprinkle it with water. In this way, life is restored to the tree. This ritual is also intended to forge a close connection between us humans and the Giant Tree of Life.
Following this, Ole Schulz (Branch Marketing, Globetrotter Cologne) and Ellen Weiland (Chair of the Wilderness International Foundation Board) are invited to approach the trunk and, using an axe at both ends, perform the ‘First Cut’ – a ceremonial incision into the outer bark, which is gently peeled away from the trunk in the process.
Traditionally, every part of a giant living tree is put to use. The inner bark has always been used for weaving rain hats and rainwear, and for making baskets and other containers.
After the solemn ceremony, the Native Americans begin sawing the tree to make the totem pole. First, we all help with our bare hands to separate the outer and inner bark from the trunk. The wonderful scent of cedar wood accompanies us as we do so.
Time and again, residents of Dormagen walk or cycle past us in the woods. They stop and want to know what is happening to ‘their tree’. They all breathe a sigh of relief when we tell them that this beautiful, giant living tree will be turned into a totem pole for the city of Cologne, which can then be admired on permanent loan in front of the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum ‘Cultures of the World’.
Text: Ellen Weiland