Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest

GeographyGeography

• 1500-200 miles long1500-200 miles long

• Only 100 miles wideOnly 100 miles wide

• Rich marine and forest biomeRich marine and forest biome

• Redwood and cedars commonRedwood and cedars common

• Surprisingly warm coastal waterSurprisingly warm coastal water

• Bounded by coast range to the eastBounded by coast range to the east

SubsistenceSubsistence• Primarily marine (H&G)Primarily marine (H&G)

– HalibutHalibut– WhaleWhale– SalmonSalmon– SturgeonSturgeon– Eulachon (smelt) aka candlefishEulachon (smelt) aka candlefish

• But also…But also…– OtterOtter– SealSeal– DeerDeer– BearBear– Mountain GoatMountain Goat– Other forest animalsOther forest animals

TechnologyTechnology

• Utilized available woods to the Utilized available woods to the extremeextreme– BoxesBoxes– Totem PolesTotem Poles– PlankhousesPlankhouses– Clothing and HatsClothing and Hats– MasksMasks– Dugout CanoesDugout Canoes

Social OrganizationSocial Organization

• Not bands as one might expectNot bands as one might expect• Dense, sedentary population Dense, sedentary population • Organized at the “Kon”Organized at the “Kon”

– Central village and its controlled areaCentral village and its controlled area– Could conflict with same “tribe” if they were in Could conflict with same “tribe” if they were in

a different Kona different Kon– Violating could lead to war, death, or slaveryViolating could lead to war, death, or slavery– Kon leadership by multiple clan chiefsKon leadership by multiple clan chiefs– Leadership based on heritage and wealthLeadership based on heritage and wealth– Leads to a ranked societyLeads to a ranked society

Social OrganizationSocial Organization

• Further organized in exogamous clans and Further organized in exogamous clans and moietiesmoieties– Matrilineal in the northMatrilineal in the north– More patrilineal in the southMore patrilineal in the south– Moieties were Raven and Eagle (north)Moieties were Raven and Eagle (north)

• Raven and Wolf in the southRaven and Wolf in the south

• Rights of access to resources to clans, Rights of access to resources to clans, personal/intellectual property to individualspersonal/intellectual property to individuals– Clan property marked by totem poles, could also be Clan property marked by totem poles, could also be

erected to mark offenses (shame poles)erected to mark offenses (shame poles)

• Homes (plankhouses) owned by the clanHomes (plankhouses) owned by the clan

Social OrganizationSocial Organization

• Patrilocal and avuncolocal residencyPatrilocal and avuncolocal residency

• Daily life handled at the extended Daily life handled at the extended household levelhousehold level

• Clan chiefs organize their clan’s labor Clan chiefs organize their clan’s labor for major salmon runs, etc.for major salmon runs, etc.

BeliefsBeliefs• Animatism and animism Animatism and animism

commoncommon• Individuals gain power, Individuals gain power,

male or female, through male or female, through visions and demonstrationvisions and demonstration

• Shamanism only, no Shamanism only, no priestspriests

• Some specialized Some specialized societies of shamans, e.g. societies of shamans, e.g. Hamatsa cannibalsHamatsa cannibals

• Elaborate performancesElaborate performances

LanguagesLanguages

• Northern: AthabascanNorthern: Athabascan

• Central: Salishan and Wakashan Central: Salishan and Wakashan (isolates)(isolates)

• Southern: Salishan and Penutian, Southern: Salishan and Penutian, some Athabascansome Athabascan

Additional IssuesAdditional Issues

• Potlatches: Why and WhatPotlatches: Why and What– FuneraryFunerary– BirthBirth– DeathDeath– Status ChangeStatus Change– LevelingLeveling– RedistributionRedistribution– AffirmationAffirmation– AlliancesAlliances– Outlawed & reinstatedOutlawed & reinstated

PlateauPlateau

Plateau: area of integrationsPlateau: area of integrations1.1.Riverine settlement: Riverine settlement: large winter villages in the river large winter villages in the river

valleys.valleys.2.2.Diverse subsistence base: Diverse subsistence base: anadromous and local fish, anadromous and local fish,

extensive game, and root resources (camas). extensive game, and root resources (camas). 3.3.Complex fishing technology: Complex fishing technology: harpoons, nets, net weights, harpoons, nets, net weights,

weirs, storage.weirs, storage.4.4.Foodsharing between groups: Foodsharing between groups: many groups fish one area of many groups fish one area of

the river during salmon runs., through sodalitiesthe river during salmon runs., through sodalities5.5.Kinship ties between groups: Kinship ties between groups: intermarriage of groups in intermarriage of groups in

and outside of Plateau.and outside of Plateau.6.6.Large trade networks: Large trade networks: institutionalized trading partners institutionalized trading partners

and regional trade fairs (Chinook trade jargon).and regional trade fairs (Chinook trade jargon).7.7.Limited political integration: Limited political integration: village to village organization.village to village organization.8.8.Uniform mythology and art styles: Uniform mythology and art styles: e.g., vision quest, e.g., vision quest,

shamanism (salmon shaman), spirit helpers for all.shamanism (salmon shaman), spirit helpers for all.9.9.Blending of traits from surrounding areasBlending of traits from surrounding areas10.10.Salish (north) and Sahaptin/Penutian (south)Salish (north) and Sahaptin/Penutian (south)