This is fabulous. First time I know about this people and culture. I am doing a MOOC and a fellow student mentioned it. I Googled and found this video. I am Portuguese, not American. But I love to learn about different cultures. We have nothing like this in my country. This is pretty unique.
There is nothing like this culture in the world. 13,700 years old(as we know of so far) and only began to be steadily contacted in the 1840's because from the 1770's on they just killed white men or held them hostage for goods. In this sense they still had some passed on ancient memory of the "pre-last" glacial period and a purity of the tribe. I have studied the Haida extensively and I find them to be the most interesting culture in the world, man they used to travel down to S. America and fight/invade the Inca's for gold/metals and goods and then come home with their riches, that is thousands of miles!! Truly a rich culture that was able to live quite lavish because of the climate and the abundance so therefore could also become quite refined in their artwork and metal skills for an aboriginal culture(I was a native art dealer for years and accepted by tribes). Some pieces are just priceless and even the newer artists that work in the Haida style amaze me. If you ever get a chance to travel to the Queen Charlotte Islands I highly recommend it but it is very expensive and you need a guide, if you can even get over still today, not sure. The Haida is the most amazing culture on the planet IMHO. Their artwork and history is so unique and distinct that you cannot find it anywhere else, over 13,000 years is a long time. Please keep studying them, they need to be known by more as they are not just any Native tribe, yet one of pure distinction and sheer integrity as well as the most ancient while untouched by modern civilization until quite late. Best to you in Portugal my friend. @Thomas Oklahoma, It seems your posts really teach nothing but redundancy and seems you know little about the culture to be making those statements.
William Thomas Your comment confuses me, "the same yet opposite" is basically what you are saying. Actually their art is different in style and not as refined but the closest to the Haida as any other tribe. They were more land based and had very similar customs and practices but they are like a younger sister. Yes there are many similarities, just like there is with the Kwa-gulth or the Kwaquitl(depending on region or tribe the name changes) but all are very different and their civilizations are not as old as the Haida. Probably decedents that mixed with land tribes from vast distances that formed a new tribe. See the thing is, when most people you talk to say that a Native from X and a native from Y are the same it is just like saying that Spanish and Italian culture is identical, simply not true. Even from tribe to tribe within the same "Nation", as an example take the Ojibway or the Cree, they covered so much land area that each and every tribe has very different customs and ways of living or history. Try telling a Cree about their customs and legends using Ojibway knowledge and they will shoot you down and call it blasphemous almost and are sometimes even angered(I had this happen a few months ago because I thought someone was Cree instead of Ojibway). Then again there are the Ojib-Cree too but another story. Cultural identity is very important and this is the same as the Haida and the Tlingit, two different tribes, similarities yes, but from a historical and cultural viewpoint they are very different and is in no way the Tlingit as refined a culture as the Haida. One way to tell an ancient cultures advancement or achievements is from artwork I find, and especially in any type of metal work. See the Haida did amazing copper, gold, and silver work that was just perfection, but if you look at the Tlingit pieces the are more primitive, scarce and just a younger tribe with much less resources readily available or the time to develop their knowledge and craft. They do however act like a younger, sister tribe in a sense to the Haida, sharing coppers as a form of wealth, the Chilkat blanket and many of the same customs, rituals etc. But they did struggle more than the Haida being more land based and having to hunt more, keep other tribes at bay from them(protect) so this alone took energy away from refinement of their arts. As they were not in a position of great abundance like the Haida who had the ocean as protection from all directions and that as a major source of their everything, they always had to spend more energy in other tasks whereas the Haida were just kinda stinking rich and really did not have to work so hard or try so much to survive. Sorry I am not trying to argue with you at all though I do find both these cultures very interesting. But to use an analogy, I am sure a Polish person does not like being called a Ruskie(Russian) if you know what I mean, two different cultures, vast amount of similarities, yes, but not the same. Sure you could put these two tribes images on the same coin and they would be similar and as close as you can get, though only the Haida would have the ability and skills to craft it in a precision manner that would be truly amazing and justly represent both. Peace and all the best William.
+l8on99 my dad's family has an island they bury our people on to this day, not sure where located, but my grandfather and uncle were returned in 2013 and buried there. Great grandfather said haida and such there since beginning of time
Interesting presentation, the Haida were part of the totem pole culture that spanned from Pacific North West of present day United States, to coastal Canada, to Northern Alaska. The culture goes back over 1,500 years.
"you have all these videos on you tube that no one watches". Not true. A lot of people, like me, often checks TH-cam for documentary films and videos just like this one. I stopped watching TV, I prefer TH-cam and other sources. I love TH-cam and I think it's one of the best things that internet has to offer. There should be a movie about TH-cam, not Facebook!!!!;)
the haida people were termed "slave masters of the north west coast" they all had salves every single family just like almost every single Tlingit family had slaves but the word only gets an "ugly" term from the early americans and other nations they were not beat or tied up they lived good lifes and normaly would be freed after a term and would a lot of the time marry into a family and become part of the people. so yes Thomas Oklahoma they had slaves and the culture isn't "1,500" years old that's cute. its more like 10,000-15,000 years old
The Haida actually practiced chattel slavery as well, a slave could distinguish themselves and gain freedom.. but not all were awarded this privilege, and some slave lines lived in the condition of slave for generations. If you honestly believe they practiced "benevolent slavery" you're just as delusional as the people who assume every American had slaves (it was actually only 4.6%). Its impossible to get a slave to perform required duties unless you terrorize and brutalize them. There is at least a 1000 year history of slaving among the Haida Gwaii. No sense in minimizing it… it is what it is. Aztecs were even worse, however,,, they would capture neighbouring tribal members strictly for ritual sacrifice … which I doubt anyone would argue is much worse than slavery… the Spanish chroniclers witnessed them sacrifice up to 5000 Native individuals on a single day, depending on the religious occasion. Its hard to even fathom how many were killed ritually by them. When the British needed labour to build their Forts and Settlements in Eastern Canada, it wasn't Black slaves they used for the purpose,,, they bought Native slaves from Native slavers who were eager to sell them to the newcomers. There is a sordid history of slavery among the Native peoples in North America, as well as instances of cannibalism and other taboos… Its a sad thing to face but every culture in human history… has some horrible skeletons in the closet… Thankfully we don't have an abundant post colonial history of slavery in Canada however… This way we can focus on reparations to Native peoples without the detritus of African Slavery to amend as well.
Haida chiefs thrived on slavery. It was a trade item and also a potential family builder at times as well. A majority came from BCs coast line, but also with the Haida themselves. These 'slaves: would have a chance to relinquish their status, being traded back home or even marry into the family, which was rare, dont get me wrong though, there were negative times for sure, the traditional Haida ruled the coast.
Thanks for posting this, I enjoyed seeing all those old photos and hearing a bit about the history behind them.
This is fabulous. First time I know about this people and culture. I am doing a MOOC and a fellow student mentioned it. I Googled and found this video. I am Portuguese, not American. But I love to learn about different cultures. We have nothing like this in my country. This is pretty unique.
There is nothing like this culture in the world. 13,700 years old(as we know of so far) and only began to be steadily contacted in the 1840's because from the 1770's on they just killed white men or held them hostage for goods. In this sense they still had some passed on ancient memory of the "pre-last" glacial period and a purity of the tribe. I have studied the Haida extensively and I find them to be the most interesting culture in the world, man they used to travel down to S. America and fight/invade the Inca's for gold/metals and goods and then come home with their riches, that is thousands of miles!! Truly a rich culture that was able to live quite lavish because of the climate and the abundance so therefore could also become quite refined in their artwork and metal skills for an aboriginal culture(I was a native art dealer for years and accepted by tribes). Some pieces are just priceless and even the newer artists that work in the Haida style amaze me.
If you ever get a chance to travel to the Queen Charlotte Islands I highly recommend it but it is very expensive and you need a guide, if you can even get over still today, not sure. The Haida is the most amazing culture on the planet IMHO. Their artwork and history is so unique and distinct that you cannot find it anywhere else, over 13,000 years is a long time. Please keep studying them, they need to be known by more as they are not just any Native tribe, yet one of pure distinction and sheer integrity as well as the most ancient while untouched by modern civilization until quite late. Best to you in Portugal my friend.
@Thomas Oklahoma, It seems your posts really teach nothing but redundancy and seems you know little about the culture to be making those statements.
l8on99 the Tlingit culture is almost identical to the haida were like oppsite sides of a coin
William Thomas Your comment confuses me, "the same yet opposite" is basically what you are saying. Actually their art is different in style and not as refined but the closest to the Haida as any other tribe. They were more land based and had very similar customs and practices but they are like a younger sister. Yes there are many similarities, just like there is with the Kwa-gulth or the Kwaquitl(depending on region or tribe the name changes) but all are very different and their civilizations are not as old as the Haida. Probably decedents that mixed with land tribes from vast distances that formed a new tribe.
See the thing is, when most people you talk to say that a Native from X and a native from Y are the same it is just like saying that Spanish and Italian culture is identical, simply not true. Even from tribe to tribe within the same "Nation", as an example take the Ojibway or the Cree, they covered so much land area that each and every tribe has very different customs and ways of living or history. Try telling a Cree about their customs and legends using Ojibway knowledge and they will shoot you down and call it blasphemous almost and are sometimes even angered(I had this happen a few months ago because I thought someone was Cree instead of Ojibway). Then again there are the Ojib-Cree too but another story.
Cultural identity is very important and this is the same as the Haida and the Tlingit, two different tribes, similarities yes, but from a historical and cultural viewpoint they are very different and is in no way the Tlingit as refined a culture as the Haida. One way to tell an ancient cultures advancement or achievements is from artwork I find, and especially in any type of metal work. See the Haida did amazing copper, gold, and silver work that was just perfection, but if you look at the Tlingit pieces the are more primitive, scarce and just a younger tribe with much less resources readily available or the time to develop their knowledge and craft.
They do however act like a younger, sister tribe in a sense to the Haida, sharing coppers as a form of wealth, the Chilkat blanket and many of the same customs, rituals etc. But they did struggle more than the Haida being more land based and having to hunt more, keep other tribes at bay from them(protect) so this alone took energy away from refinement of their arts. As they were not in a position of great abundance like the Haida who had the ocean as protection from all directions and that as a major source of their everything, they always had to spend more energy in other tasks whereas the Haida were just kinda stinking rich and really did not have to work so hard or try so much to survive.
Sorry I am not trying to argue with you at all though I do find both these cultures very interesting. But to use an analogy, I am sure a Polish person does not like being called a Ruskie(Russian) if you know what I mean, two different cultures, vast amount of similarities, yes, but not the same. Sure you could put these two tribes images on the same coin and they would be similar and as close as you can get, though only the Haida would have the ability and skills to craft it in a precision manner that would be truly amazing and justly represent both. Peace and all the best William.
+l8on99 my dad's family has an island they bury our people on to this day, not sure where located, but my grandfather and uncle were returned in 2013 and buried there. Great grandfather said haida and such there since beginning of time
Finally! Someone who admits it or re-confirms it!
Whose house was the famous picture of the last potlatch in Klinkwan.
Interesting presentation, the Haida were part of the totem pole culture that spanned from Pacific North West of present day United States, to coastal Canada, to Northern Alaska. The culture goes back over 1,500 years.
there are totem poles in japan too - google the ainu people
Where is part 2?
"you have all these videos on you tube that no one watches". Not true. A lot of people, like me, often checks TH-cam for documentary films and videos just like this one. I stopped watching TV, I prefer TH-cam and other sources. I love TH-cam and I think it's one of the best things that internet has to offer. There should be a movie about TH-cam, not Facebook!!!!;)
Thank you very much!
Oh to know the stories of the totem poles!!
Lots of grave robbers in klingkwan & Howcan after they made the move.
the haida people were termed "slave masters of the north west coast" they all had salves every single family just like almost every single Tlingit family had slaves but the word only gets an "ugly" term from the early americans and other nations they were not beat or tied up they lived good lifes and normaly would be freed after a term and would a lot of the time marry into a family and become part of the people. so yes Thomas Oklahoma they had slaves and the culture isn't "1,500" years old that's cute. its more like 10,000-15,000 years old
The Haida actually practiced chattel slavery as well, a slave could distinguish themselves and gain freedom.. but not all were awarded this privilege, and some slave lines lived in the condition of slave for generations. If you honestly believe they practiced "benevolent slavery" you're just as delusional as the people who assume every American had slaves (it was actually only 4.6%).
Its impossible to get a slave to perform required duties unless you terrorize and brutalize them. There is at least a 1000 year history of slaving among the Haida Gwaii. No sense in minimizing it… it is what it is.
Aztecs were even worse, however,,, they would capture neighbouring tribal members strictly for ritual sacrifice … which I doubt anyone would argue is much worse than slavery… the Spanish chroniclers witnessed them sacrifice up to 5000 Native individuals on a single day, depending on the religious occasion. Its hard to even fathom how many were killed ritually by them.
When the British needed labour to build their Forts and Settlements in Eastern Canada, it wasn't Black slaves they used for the purpose,,, they bought Native slaves from Native slavers who were eager to sell them to the newcomers.
There is a sordid history of slavery among the Native peoples in North America, as well as instances of cannibalism and other taboos…
Its a sad thing to face but every culture in human history… has some horrible skeletons in the closet… Thankfully we don't have an abundant post colonial history of slavery in Canada however…
This way we can focus on reparations to Native peoples without the detritus of African Slavery to amend as well.
@@NegativeBodhiImage its white folks teaching these things boy. Shut up and quit trying to teach our history.
Haida chiefs thrived on slavery. It was a trade item and also a potential family builder at times as well. A majority came from BCs coast line, but also with the Haida themselves. These 'slaves: would have a chance to relinquish their status, being traded back home or even marry into the family, which was rare, dont get me wrong though, there were negative times for sure, the traditional Haida ruled the coast.
I also learn what (they say) is (un)documented in these and i share tham .....00.....LilRogueBear[drinking water] Enju
I don't think the majority of Haida Chiefs had slaves.
trade/raid
Finally! Someone who admits it or re-confirms it!