Tlingit tribe are an indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America. They have their own language called Lingit, Meaning "People of the tide". Their culture and society developed in the temperate rainforest of the southeast Alaska coast.
CHIEF SHAKES TRIBAL HOUSE- ALASKA
The four house posts
are among the oldest in Alaska. This is a N.W. Coastal Indian Tribal House. Long ago Indian people lived in
houses like this with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents and brothers and sisters. What would that be
like? What do you see? The Coastal Native Americans were famous for their carvings. Look for the TOTEM POLES. Totem poles are the largest, but not the only objects that coastal Pacific Northwest natives use to depict family legends, animals, people, or historical events. If you were from out of town and saw your
clan’s crest atop the totem pole, you could go up to the house and be welcomed in.
TLINGIT PLANK HOUSE
Again, look for the totem
poles.What shapes do you see on the
house? (Ovoids (egg shape), U SHAPES) Why do you think it’s called a PLANK HOUSE? The indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, made houses of cedar planks.
MASKED QAGYUHL DANCERS, NW COAST
Art is part of the Native
American’s everyday life. What type of art do you see in this picture?
MASKS
This double mask has a raven on top with a hinged beak.The lower part represents a man’s face. Note the colors; white, red, black, yellow and green. Remember all the colors were made with things from nature. Often masks were seen by firelight and were very dramatic. Masks are a way of making the supernatural world visible. They are worn to heal the sick, drive away disease causes and for religious ceremonies. Since the Coastal Indians had no written language, masks were passed down and helped to serve as a “history book” by telling a certain story.
TOTEM POLES
What animals are represented in
this totem pole? What colors are used? How do you think totem poles were
made? They cut down a tree, drew the
design using TEMPLATES and then
carved them. They were painted last.
CANOE
Every tribe made canoes in a variety of types and sizes.They all shared basic features; they were carved of red cedar, double ended
with fine lines and the hulls were steamed into their final forms.
BENTWOOD BOXES
This box is about 200 years old. Notice the OVOIDS (eggshape) and U SHAPES. Why do you think it’s called a Bentwood Box? What might go in it? (food, tools, special blankets, masks etc.) They
are often handmade from a single plank of cedar that is steamed and bent into
shape.
WOVEN BASKETS
What do you think they might have used woven
baskets for?
WOVEN HATS
What animal do
you see on this hat? What do you think
it might be made off? (woven roots,
woven grasses)
CHILKAT
BLANKETS
The name derives from the Chilkat tribe in Alaska on the Chilkat River. Chilkat weaving is one of the most complex weaving techniques in the world. When making this weave, it is made from top to bottom instead of side to side. A Chilkat blanket can take a year to weave. Traditionally mountain goat wool, dog fur, and yellow cedar bark are used in Chilkat weaving. Today sheep wool might be used.
Chilkat blankets are worn by high ranking tribal members on civic or ceremonial occasions, including dances. Notice the fringe on the bottom. During the ceremonial dance it is made to sway!
BUTTON BLANKETS
Each tribe/ culture has different
customs about how and when blankets may be used. All Blankets have the same
rectangle shape. There are boarders on
three sides, but not the bottom. Button blankets are very special
and are worn in ceremonies. They are made of wool. If there is a CREST on the back of
the blanket, the person has inherited the right to wear it. What is the CREST on these
blankets? The buttons are often made from Mother of
Pear.
