Kwakiutl Indian Culture Summary

While reading about the Northwest Coast we learned a lot about how the Natives lived different life styles than other Natives. We got to dive into Benedict’s view of how she says the Kwakiutl Natives. We also got to dive into Goodman and Swan view on the Makah Natives. In class we talked about how some rituals had to be done underground because a lot of observes didn’t like their traditions. Later on they were allowed back in their society. We mostly learned about the similarity and difference between the Kwakiutl’s and Makah’s potlatch rituals. Well, we will start off with Benedict’s view of the Kwakiutl tribe. The Northwest Coast Natives themselves were pretty smart. They lived along the seacoast from Alaska to Puget Sound. Their culture had no common order, but Benedict did say (page 173) “They were a people of great possessions as primitive people go.” They relied on goods, inexhaustible, and obtained without using harsh labor. They mostly depended on fish as their sores of food. Their life, mostly depends on the ocean, they even build their houses along the coast. Tragically the Northwest Coast fell into ruins so our knowledge is very limited. They say the only well-known information we have is based off of the Kwakiutl of Vancouver Island. The Kwakiutls had many songs, dances, and rituals. One of which is about a bear. The people would sing and dance around the fire while the bear imprinter would dress in black bear skin would claw at the ground if someone messes up the song or dance they would fall on the ground and the “bear” would tear him to pieces. There was also one that introduces the Cannibal Dancer. It is based on Kwakiutl’s Cannibal Society. The members are given sets of high honor at the winter dance, and all others must hold off till the Cannibals eat. What separates them from others is their passion for human flesh. After this dance for four months the cannibal has been tabu. He remains in his small room alone with the bear dancer to watch. The Northwest Coast was big on possessions; there were two different groups. The main one was on the cost and land that was owned by relatives in common and passed down to all its members. Then there is the relationship group who owned the hunting, wolfberries, and wild-root territories, and no one was allowed to trespass on the land for they are considered nobles. As a noble male or female, you must contribute to any potential impotence. As a baby they are given the name of the place where they are born. To my understanding when you are older to get a name you are given a few blankets and you must pass them out to family members. The family members who get the blanket will see that they pay you back. The Chief gives the child tribute. At the end of the year the boy has to pay a hundred percent interest to the family members who first gave him the blankets. After a couple of years of this the boy will be ready to pay his first potlatch name. When he is ready his relatives gather everyone in the tribe, and his father in front of everyone will give him his name. To my understanding their names can be changed as they go …show more content…
What I grasped from the reading is that their naming system is different. They grab mask and costumes and they perform a dance based on the music and costumes such as: Wolf, Halmatsa, Grizzly, or Eagle dance). There relatives also tell them to relax and be there selves for they will always be an Indian. After the Chief takes off the fifth mask she sees all his people and guards and protects them. Then the people sing and give gifts. After all the gifts are given they sing another set of songs. Then a big speech of thanks for coming is given and then it’s time to play games. After the games are over the potlatch party is over and everyone gathers their stuff and leave. According to the record, there are still some hosted to this