Book

The enduring Seminoles: from alligator wrestling to ecotourism

University Press of FloridaGainesville • Published In 1998 • Pages: xvi, 150

By: West, Patsy.

Abstract
Early in the twentieth century the Florida Seminoles struggled to survive in an environment altered to great extent by the drainage of the Everglades and a dwindling demand for hides, previously used as a principal item in trade. In this book West describes how the Seminoles turned to tourism as a major factor in their economy, using their own culture as a marketable commodity. The reticent I:laponathli (Mikasuki speaking Seminoles), first developed the tourist trade with the greatest success, but by the 1930s nearly all of Florida's Seminole population was engaged in the business. The Seminoles participated in fairs and expositions in Chicago, New York, and Canada and established large commercial villages in Miami and Ocala in which they sold their craft products to the tourists, wrestled alligators, and opened their palm-frond CHICKEES (dwellings) to the public. Although this exhibition economy was condemned by the government, it did provide income for the Seminole families and established a lasting cultural identity for the people (book jacket).
Subjects
Acculturation and culture contact
Production and supply
External trade
Spectacles
Exhibitions
Community heads
External relations
Public welfare
culture
Seminole
HRAF PubDate
2003
Region
North America
Sub Region
Eastern Woodlands
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnohistorian
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2001
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
late nineteenth century - 1990s
Coverage Place
southern Florida, United States
Notes
Patsy West
Includes bibliographical references (p. [121]-135) and index
LCCN
98026996
LCSH
Seminole Indians