Book

The Eyak Indians of the Copper River Delta, Alaska

Levin & Munksgaard, E. MunksgaardKøbenhavn • Published In 1938 • Pages:

By: Birket-Smith, Kaj, De Laguna, Frederica.

Abstract
This book draws on rich archeological data and oral information to reconstruct the history and culture of the Eyak. Topics examined include the territorial scope of their historical homeland, the specific locations of some of the major villages mentioned in the stories of informants, and a comparative analysis of house types, burial sites, hunting tools, and related material culture. Also discussed are the Eyak peoples’ historical relationship to neighboring groups, with particular focus on the regionally-dominant Tlingit and other “Eskimo” communities. The authors analyze features of Eyak mythology and social organization that reflect ethnic and linguistic ties to the Tlingit and other non-Athapaskan groups; for example, how the division of Eyak society into two moieties indicates Tlingit influence. A considerable portion of the text is devoted to a wide-ranging comparison traits, mainly showing ties to Northwest Coast cultures.
Subjects
Historical reconstruction
Identification
Location
Community structure
Inter-community relations
Inter-ethnic relations
Linguistic identification
Moieties
Organized ceremonial
Gift giving
Comparative evidence
Mythology
Boats
Water transport
Hunting and trapping
Fishing
Topography and geology
Dwellings
Building interiors and arrangement
Acculturation and culture contact
culture
Eyak
Region
North America
Sub Region
Arctic and Subarctic
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Types
Historian
Us Government Official
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem
Field Date
1930, 1933, 1935
Coverage Date
1883-1935
Coverage Place
Cordova and Copper River delta area, Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, United States
Notes
by Kaj Birket-Smith and Frederica De Laguna
At head of title: Det Kgl. danske videnskabernes selskab. "Published with the support of the grants from the Rask-Ørsted Foundation and the Penrose Fund of the American Philosophical Society."
Includes bibliographical references (p. 573-591)
LCCN
a 40000353
LCSH
Eyak Indians
Indians of North America--Alaska
Copper River Region (Alaska)