Book
The structure of Twana culture
Research studies : a quarterly publication of Washington State University • (2) • Published In 1960 • Pages: xvi, 576
By: Elmendorf, William W. (William Welcome).
Abstract
This is a reconstruction of salient aspects of Twana culture and society as they existed prior to significant acculturation through contact with Euroamericans and relocation to the Skokomish Reservation, largely based on data from three aged informants believed to be the last remaining native speakers of the Twana language, Frank and Henry Allan and Charley Cush (referred to throughout the text by their initials, FA, HA and CC). The description underscores the functional integration of different elements to form a distinct Twana tribal culture that, in turn, belongs to a larger southern Northwest Coast region (frequent footnote comparisons are made to the Yurok of northwestern California, the subject of the second half of this publication, not included). This structural integration is elaborated by using several examples, such as the role of guardian spirits in affecting other aspects of Twana life: a person’s success in hunting big game is attributed to possession by specific spirits; guardian spirits are believed to be the ultimate cause behind such events as the death of a family member or warfare among neighboring communities.
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Northwest Coast and California
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem ; 2019
- Field Date
- 1939-1956
- Coverage Date
- 1790-1850
- Coverage Place
- Hood Canal area, Washington, United States
- Notes
- W. W. Elmendorf
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 570-572)
- LCCN
- a 62000315
- LCSH
- Twana Indians
- Southern Coast Salish Indians