Sam Toonoo (1969 - )

SHAMAN COMBING SEDNA’S HAIR
Cape Dorset, 2002
Bone, Stone, 6.5 x 6 x 7.25”

Sam: “I like to carve in bone but I needed the stone in this case because of the arms sticking out the sides. This is part of the story of Sedna, when the shaman comes to comb out her hair.” Inuit legend tells that the Shaman journeyed to the bottom of the sea to appease the goddess Sedna by carefully combing out and braiding her long hair. If well received, the Shaman’s actions would ensure success in the next sea hunt.