Territory
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Family Life in the Pacific Northwest
Above- A small village of homes made from cedar trees
Below- A Traditional canoe Art and MusicMusic and Dance
Music was also an important part of Pacific Northwest Native American life. Their songs and dances had deep spiritual meaning to them, They also developed special dances and songs for ceremonies. Carvings
The tribes of the Pacific Norhwest carved wood into many beautiful items including pipes, chairs and masks. Their art often included animals and used a lot of black paired with bright colors. |
There were many different Native American tribes that developed in the Pacific Northwest. Each tribe developed their own customs and traditions but they all have similarities as well. They lived in small villages and built homes out of cedar trees. Click Here to learn more about their homes. The females stayed in the home to care for the children, cook and make clothing. Click here to learn more about their clothing. The males of the tribes hunted, fished and built homes and canoes.The tribes often held Potlatch celebrations. A potlatch is large party in which the tribe shows off their wealth. The host of the party gave presents to everyone who attended. These celebrations were very popular because of the vast wealth of the tribes in the Pacific Northwest.
Above- Special clothing worn in ceremonies such as weddings.
Left- A picture taken during a Potlatch celebration. TOTEM POLES
To the tribes of the Pacific Northwest, art and music were not only used for entertainment but for communication and to pass down their stories and traditions. They did not have a written language so they used art to tell the story of their tribe. Totem poles were the used to display their stories to other tribes The different animals on the totems different meanings. Totem poles were very important to the tribes of the Pacific Northwest. |