Rain Screen and Posts

Rain Screen, su kheen, formed the front wall of the sleeping chamber of the master of the house. The large partition stood between the rear support posts and is made of thin split red cedar boards of varying widths. The front surface is intricately carved in low relief and painted to represent the Spirit of Rain, Su, which was symbolized by a great crouching figure with outstretched arms. The boarder of minture creatures represents the splashing of rain as it strikes the ground. Some scholars suggest that the screen may not represent the Rain Spirit, but Raven who stole fresh water for the benefit of mankind (see Jonaitis 1986:113-15). Opinions differ as to who executed this work, but it is generally held that the Rain Screen and the Whale house posts were carved by different artists as the style differs significantly. Whale house, Ganaxtedi clan.