The Totems of Alaska

Descripción:

Winter & Pond Company, Juneau, Alaska, 1915. Paper covers, [32] pp (unpaginated). No other printings listed. Contents include Introductory, The Haidas, The Shakes Totems, The Kad-a-shan Totems, Burial Places, The Chilkats, Images, Goo-teekhl, The Chilkat Blanket, Conclusion, Lovers' Lane, Sitka, Includes 11 black and white photo reproductions. Nice color illustration of totem on front cover. In acceptable condition. Small (8" x 5 1/4") brown illustrated paper covers have a few small nicks and tears and light creasing along edges. Damp staining to the top right corner of both front and rear covers. Binding intact (stable bound). Pages have some light age spotting with heavier spotting to the title page and rear free end paper. Otherwise pages are lightly aged. NOT Ex-Library. [From Introductory] The illustrations contained in this book convey a good idea of the various forms of Alaskan totems, as well as a portrayal of the handicraft of the Haidas of extreme Southeastern Alaska and the Tlingits, their northern neighbors, among whom thepractice of erecting totems has been prevalent.It is impossible in a brief treatise to give an accurate interpretation of the crude heraldry of a primitive people without making a study of individual totems. An analysis of each illustration will serve to enlighten the reader as to the general significance of totem blazonry as expressed in the carvings and other designs of the Haidas and-Tlingits.Briefly, the totem designs of the Alaska natives have the same significance to them that the American Eagle has to Americans, the Lion to the British. or the Bear to the Russians.Whatever suggestion of idolatry the uncouth and barbarous appearance of the totems may convey to the casual observer, it is certain that such a practice was not thought of by the Haidas. The innate recognition of supernatural power, which is common to all primitive people, was not centered in one Divine Being. These children of nature developed a veneration for birds and animals, to which they ascribed human intelligence. The transmigratory idea finds a place in the vague traditions of a spiritual power for good or for evil which changed the forms of men to some form of animal life, the recording of which resulted in the rude carvings called totem poles. As nearly as can be determined, the original purpose in erecting totems before the houses was to distinguish each group of families having the same crest. Take, for example, the carving in the foreground of the Howkan village illustration, which represents and eagle. This would be found all sufficient to indicate the house of the eagle clan and would be the home of all those having the eagle as the crest or emblem of their totemic system, whether visitors from other tribes or permanent dwellers. N° de ref. del artículo 20160120001

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Detalles bibliográficos

Título: The Totems of Alaska
Editorial: Winter & Pond Company
Año de publicación: 1915
Encuadernación: Paperback
Condición: Acceptable