Understanding the Tlingit People

The Tlingit Pronounced: Kling-ket The indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast of America. Their name for themselves is Lingít, meaning "People of the Tides“ The Tlingit are a matrilineal society that developed a complex hunter-gatherer culture in the temperate rainforest of the southeast Alaska coast and the Alexander Archipelago. An inland subgroup, known as the Inland Tlingit, inhabits the far northwestern part of the province of British Columbia and the southern Yukon Territory in Canada.

The Tlingit Territory

Hoonah, Alaska Traditional Tlingit Village

Tlingit Culture In Tlingit culture a heavy emphasis is placed upon family and kinship, and on a rich tradition of oratory. Wealth and economic power are important indicators of status, but so is generosity and proper behavior, all signs of "good breeding" and ties to aristocracy. Art and spirituality are incorporated in nearly all areas of Tlingit culture, with even everyday objects such as spoons and storage boxes decorated and imbued with spiritual power and historical beliefs of the Tlingits. Tlingit society is divided into two moieties, the Raven and the Eagle.

Tlingit Culture These in turn are divided into numerous clans that are subdivided into lineages or house groups. These groups have heraldic crests, that are displayed on totem poles, canoes, feast dishes, house posts, weavings, jewelry, and other art forms. Moieties: Each of two social or ritual groups into which a people is divided

Tlingit Art

Philosophy and Religion Tlingit thoughts and beliefs were largely based on the way they viewed and interacted with the world around them. Tlingits were traditionally animists and hunters ritually purified themselves before hunting animals. Shamans, primarily men, cured diseases, influenced weather, aided in hunting, predicted the future, and protected people against witchcraft. Animists: People who believe that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at least embody some kind of life-principle

Philosophy and Religion (cont’d) Between 1886 and 1895, in the face of their shamans' inability to treat Old World diseases including smallpox, many Tlingit people converted to Orthodox Christianity. Russian Orthodox missionaries had translated their liturgy into the Tlingit language. It has been argued that they saw Eastern Orthodox Christianity as a way of resisting assimilation to the "American way of life," which was associated with Presbyterianism. After the introduction of Christianity, the Tlingit belief system began to erode. Today, some young Tlingits look back toward their traditional tribal religions and worldview for inspiration, security, and a sense of identity. While many elders converted to Christianity, contemporary Tlingit "reconcile Christianity and the 'traditional culture.‘”

Language The Tlingit language is spoken by the Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska and Western Canada. It is a branch of the Na-Dené language family. It is well known not only for its complex grammar and sound system, but also for using certain phonemes unheard in almost any other language. Tlingit is highly endangered, with an estimated native speakers in the United States and 100 speakers in Canada. The speakers are bilingual or near-bilingual in English. Extensive effort is being put into revitalization programs in Southeast Alaska to revive and preserve the Tlingit language and its culture.

Modern Tlingit man