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Breaking news. Alaska government. Southeast Alaska. Site notifications Update notification options. Dance, for the Tlingit people, is a means of expression and communication, and a form of enjoyment. It is a major potlatch activity, or, as in the old days, it could be an impromptu performance around the evening fire. The shaman used dance as a vehicle to make contact with the spirit world; regular folks might tell a story, ridicule an opponent, or extend an apology through a combination of dance motions.
Drums and carved rattles were used as accompaniment. Dance regalia is magnificent. Masks representing creatures of the natural and mythical worlds are exquisitely carved and painted. Elaborate headdresses allow the dancer to shower guests with goose down by means of a carved frontlet capped with upright sea lion whiskers and bird feathers which provides a space in which to tuck the down. As the dancer gyrates, the down is shaken about, symbolizing a gesture of hospitality and good wishes.
Beautiful Chilkat blankets are used as dance robes. The fringe provides a wonderful visual effect as the dancer moves. Williams also worked with the King Island Inupiat community to establish a tribally controlled archive of their music and dance repertoire. At the beginning of a k u. It has a carved wooden frontlet often inlaid with abalone , a long ermine trail, sea lion whiskers, and flicker feathers. Eagle down, a sign of peace, is placed in the crown. As the chief dances, the eagle down spreads in the air and gently falls to the floor, blessing the ceremonial space.
The clan leader carries either a dance staff or a carved rattle representing a raven, which is held with the beak pointing downward. All Tlingit dancers wear ceremonial blankets made of dark blue broadcloth, red flannel, and pearl buttons, along with their finest regalia. Often dance regalia depicts clan crests, but this exquisite shirt and apron are beaded in multicolored, abstract floral designs.
Ermine, wood, haliotis shell, sea lion whiskers, feathers, wool, cotton, mother-of-pearl buttons, thread, glass beads, metal. Tlingit Raven Rattle, Wood, pigment.
Courtesy of Simon Krane. Personal communication, Unpublished manuscript,
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