Animal Roles In Tlingit Societies

The human race also has a long history of seeing animals as symbols representing status or power. Animals were believed to have divine, supernatural powers, and to play chief roles in the creation of man and his religions, individual qualities and emotions. In ancient times, animals were seen as a direct connection between a man and his world, or were used as a connection between man and his deities.

The ancient culture of the Tlingit Indians in Southern Alaska had different ideas about the role of animals in their world. By examining the textiles, statues and designs on everyday objects and architecture, one can get an idea about this culture's relationships with members of the animal kingdom.

The Tlingit Indians of Southern Alaska were a powerful, war-like tribe related to Indians in the western and southwestern United States, including the Navajo. The main population of the Tlingits was centered up and down the

One legend says animals are former humans who were frightened when Raven brought forth light had had stolen from the god of the sky world, and they ran into the forests and sea, becoming the varioius creatures of the wild. In Tlingit legends, animals can appear in human form and interact with humans. In fact, animals and humans can intermarry and raise families. Humans could also transform themselves into animals.

Northwest coast of North America from southern Alaska to Puget Sound. Tlingit artifacts have been found dating as far back as 10,000 years ago.

Woodworking was the Tlingit's main artistic expression. Master woodcarvers carved Totems. The totems were covered with carved figures of animals and humans placed on top of one another. The figures were geometric, and symmetrical in shape. Animals, sometimes shrouded in superstition and mysticism, were seen as determinants and symbols of man's everyday trials and tribulations. They mimicked people's cultures, values and fears. The totems were representations of the kawaans' individual myths and legends. The totem poles showed the relationship of important figures to the oral narratives of the clan. They acted as public statements, three dimensional recordings of events and family histories.

Their art was centered around the people, and not within tombs or burial chambers of royal family, or of powerful dictators. Despite the Tlingit's war-like culture, their society thrived to it's very end. Their art-form is still practiced today by many modern artists.

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