Totem Poles and Symbols of Native American Wealth
by Totem poles are often portrayed as being religious carvings but they were never considered so by the Native Americans.
Old Western Movies And Totem Pole
Legend has it that the tall totem poles of the Northwest Coast of America were religious in nature and that they were actually worshipped as part of religious rites among the tribes, but this is not true. This image of totem poles being at the centre of religious ceremonies is very much the result of old Western movies and their depiction of what they called the ‘Wild West’.
A totem pole actually recorded the social position, wealth and importance of whoever paid for it. It was a public symbol of what a man owned and a declaration that he could afford to do this.
Image by Jeff Kubina via Flickr
Fur Trade Brings Native Americans Wealth
Image via Wikipedia
The white men who came craved more and more of the rich fur available in the region, and the Northwest Coast tribes built up real wealth in a relatively short space of time. This gave rise to an Indian (Native American) purchasing class which had never been there before, now had the gold to buy things and was just looking for something to spend it on. The professional artist fed part of the need to buy material things within these new found riches by drawing portraits.
Image by Jeff Kubina via Flickr
Image by Jeff Kubina via Flickr
Many portraits were commissioned and things like small wooden figures, masks and other carved objects were attractive to the new ‘purchasing classes. Strangely enough, many of the things bought were destroyed, or given away because the religious belief among these people was that they should give away everything they owned. The more they gave away, the greater their prestige within the tribe. Totem poles were carved from tree trunks and displayed as symbols of wealth as well as being records of family history.
Image via Wikipedia
Wealthy Native Americans Hold a Feast
A wealthy individual was expected to hold a feast and to invite his greatest rival to attend. The host would give away everything he owned and the rival would do the same to return the courtesy and give back more than he had received.
Image via Wikipedia
To show contempt for the rival and for material possessions, goods were often burned, broken into pieces, or thrown into the sea. Slaves were murdered and whole families sold into slavery. Yet so many artistic masterpieces survived to be appreciated today.
Image via Wikipedia
Many totem poles survived and are greatly revered and highly prized as artistic masterpieces.
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Post CommentTim P Stavert
On September 25, 2009 at 6:54 am
A very interesting article Louie.
I always have a soft touch for the native Indians whom had a raw deal with their land.
Tim
Lucas Dié
On September 25, 2009 at 8:11 am
Fascinating article. ‘Western’ movies (and Karl May) were so much part of my childhood I never thought about questioning their content.
Onflames
On September 25, 2009 at 8:19 am
Great pics Louie! Congrats on making it to the Hot Content again!
athena goodlight
On September 25, 2009 at 8:50 am
These symbols of cultural heritage are masterpieces, indeed– so is your article. Nice work!
James Dimick
On September 25, 2009 at 9:25 am
Great images, very interesting article. Thanks for sharing this.
mystery61
On September 25, 2009 at 9:35 am
A very interesting article, thanks for sharing!
Nikita K
On September 25, 2009 at 12:28 pm
The native american culture has always intrigued me and you just make it sound so beautiful in your article because now I know a lot more about native americans than I ever did like selling entire families to slaver – JEEZ!. A very valuable snippet out of a very beautiful culture that we hardly take into consideration nowadays.
Diverseblogger
On September 25, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Congrats on making the hot content list again. This piece was flawless. So beautiful to read and very interesting and entertaining. Keep up the great work.
CA Johnson
On September 25, 2009 at 7:26 pm
This was a very interesting article, Louie. I had only heard of totem poles, but I wasn’t familiar with them at all. It never occurred to me that totem poles were a symbol of wealth.
Glynis Smy
On September 26, 2009 at 3:04 am
Fascinating topic and great article, thanks
Anne Lyken Garner
On September 27, 2009 at 11:15 am
An interesting article, Louie. I love the pictures too.
bobby
On December 6, 2009 at 6:48 pm
the pictures and article are very amazing and beautiful ,keep up the great work Louie