THE FIRST AMERICANS

Press, 22 August 1978, Page 14

THE FIRST AMERICANS

By

RAPHAEL J. MacLOUGHLIN

Our Tlingit companion has led us to his chief’s house. If we stand quietly we can hear what the leader is saying. It seem that the visiting Haida have been preparing a long time for the “potlatch” they will give — or, more correctly, direct — at the Tlingit. Under normal circumstances, the “potlatch” is a social ceremonial at which the chief, with the help of his group, will feed great numbers of guests, give away property, and destroy propertv, thereby validating his own rank and privileges. He could also confer certain names or rights on others, or both.

Sometimes, at the death of a chief, his successor would give a series of “potlatches” in memory of the deceased. At these, honours and powers inherited are recited, crests displayed, and ancestral contacts w’ith divine animals enacted. Invited guests serve as witnesses to the truth of the new chief’s claims. In return, food and gifts, without stint, are imparted by way of payment. The lavishness of the whole feast is a testimony to the chief’s high position, and to the position of his lineage group. However, the “potlatch” of the Haida is of a more sinister intent. It is an insidious, economic warfare, calculated to ruin the Tlingit. The presents that are given, the property that is destroyed, and the slaves who are killed must be reciprocated within the year with lavish interest. The Tlingit chief is worried. If he hopes to top the Haida “potlatch,” goods must ba borrowed from outsiders, and returned at a fixed rate of interest within a year. And should the Tlingit chief fail to acquire the needed goods, his smaller offering will establish that he and his group are of lesser rank. This competitive “potlatch” system became a vicious, endless procedure in amassing wealth for the purpose of ruining others. Some head men went bankrupt; others went mad; and not a few set

out on suicidal expeditions of war.

But, listen; it has been decided that the Bella Coola, near neighbours of the Haida, should be asked for the required goods. The Tlingit are pleased with their chief’s decision.

As the meeting is breaking up, let us depart with our worried companion. It seems that h’e will have to give his chief the silver coins we gave him; but on our assurance that we will not tell anybody of our gift, he promises to show us around.

As we make our way towards his house, notice the long canoes made out

of wood. Among the Nookta tribes of British Columbia and Washington, one can find sea-worthy vessels well over 50ft long. Whaling was almost entirely confined to these people. Now let us enter our friend’s dwelling. The ornamental box (see drawing) in the corner of tho room is to store food in. It is carved and painted. The sides are made from a single piece of cedar steamed and bent into shape.

The north-west coast technique of splitting a design is very evident in the face at the foot of the

box. each half making a profile. The whole of the full face — the principal element in the design — is a sea serpent. You must have noticed during our conversations with our companion that he has never once offered his name or asked ours. Nor has his wife, now present, even invited us to share a meal.

These people are apparently inhospitable, and have an air of gloom and mystery. In this they are a marked contrast to all the other tribes we have met. Let us hope it does not prevent us from learning more about them.