Tlinget Killerwhale tooth Shaman Helper w/ carving and face

ca 1950

3.75″h

A Shaman’s Helper (known in Tlingit as yik or yeik) refers to the spirit helpers or helping spirits central to traditional Tlingit shamanism in Southeast Alaska.

• Tlingit shamans (called xt or ixt) were healers, seers, and intermediaries between the human world and the spirit realms. They did not worship a single supreme being but worked with multiple yik personal guardian/helper spirits.
• Every Tlingit person had at least one personal guardian spirit, but shamans cultivated many (often up to 8 for the most powerful ones). These helpers came from different realms: upper world (keeyek), middle/earth world (tkeeyek), and lower/water world (tkeeyek).
• Yik could be:
  • Animal spirits (e.g., brown bear, raven, whale, land otter, eagle, wolf)
  • Human ancestor spirits (often deceased shamans or clan heroes)
  • Other supernatural beings

The shaman called upon these helpers during rituals for healing (especially soul loss), weather control, finding lost items, protection against witches, or successful hunts/fishing.
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