Spanish Essay

Rachel Bibler #0025546265
ANTH 379
Being and Place Among the Tlingit
The book Being and Place Among the Tlingit, by Thomas F. Thornton, illustrates how the Tlingit people regard the view of place with their language, rituals, social organizations, and their economy. Thornton defines four cultural structures that link people to a place. They are comprised of language and cognitive structures, social organization, material production, and ritual processes. These are all catalysts for how these indigenous people ultimately define themselves and can show their respect for their society. Along with that, the idea of space is divided into three dimensions: space, time, and experience. These three concepts serve to exemplify the importance of their culture and their natural environment. With that in mind, over time they can begin to develop a sense for their place, being and identity. Thornton (2007) concludes chapter two saying: “With this technology one can find an answer not only to the question, Where am I? But also to the equally critical question in Tlingit, How do I belong to this place?” For example their names, lineages, and clans all intertwine in different ways because they signify the importance for their beliefs and values towards their place. By exploring the idea of patterns and similarities within the place-names people can distinguish more about a place and its significance. Place-names also serve as a connection between the physical and social landscapes. According to Thornton (2007) place-names serve “both as a universal domain of human knowledge and as a particular culture system of meanings.”
The Tlingits care about their historic roots along with the land they belong to. This is known as subsistence, which is close relationships with their geographical areas and its history. Subsistence plays a pivotal role in their perception of their place and its production. They participate in subsistence activities that illustrate the importance of bringing Tlingits to places their ancestors inherited and would visit, which is a very sacred part of their culture. The final chapter explains the significance of the ritual of memorial potlatch. This sacred tradition aims to restore the social order in the event of a death in the clan so their name and individuality could be passed on. Along with that, by uniting individuals and showing crests or bringing foods derived from their land, it is meant to be a time to show the importance of their roots and heritage. These traditions steep deeply into the roots of these clans; within the past century, the total emplacement phenomenon exemplifies how people can feel a powerful and strong bond with their territory, roots, and social ties. Conversely, over the past century many Tlingit people have felt a sense of loss within their culture and traditions. With that in mind, according to Thornton (2007): “Unfortunately, as with social structure, language, and economic production, there have been substantial changes in the Tlingit potlatch in the post contact era, particularly in the past one hundred years.” However, while the potlatch has decreased compared to a century ago, today it is the most popular way to unify individuals and remind them of their rituals and their ancestors. The Tlingit people greatly emphasize their place and where they belong. The importance of the Tlingit’s place stems from their ancestry, rituals, and social organizations which all play a vital role in how they can define themselves and understand more about their place’s significance in their life.
After reading Being and Place Among the Tlingit, I was very impressed with Thornton’s emphasis on their culture and how they are aiming to preserve different customs and rituals they have lost over time. This nonfiction novel illustrates the significance of the Tlingit’s knowledge about their beliefs and values within their society along with briefly discussing the hardships of the Tlingit people. Without this knowledge of this valuable and sacred information it is nearly impossible for this native culture to continue the revered traditions. I thought Thornton did a good job exemplifying how the Tlingit people have felt a sense of loss within finding themselves and where they belong. That was one point I felt that was very fundamental in understanding the main premise of the book. It was reaffirming to me to know that Thornton has had firsthand experience since he has been to that culture and seen and studied not only how the Tlingit people live but also many surrounding areas and their cultures. With that in mind, he had a deep analysis about this indigenous way of life along with touching on some of the hardships the Tlingit people are struggling with today. Along with his familiarity with this native lifestyle I was also persuaded by the philosophers and anthropologists view on the Tlingit people. The information supported from them was both thought-provoking and interesting. Thornton did a good job conveying the arguments between them however; I thought it was weak on his part by not explaining more of his personal view points. I would have personally been more interested to hear his perspectives rather than the comparisons between the philosophers and anthropologists. Since Thornton has seen and studied this way of life it would seem rational for him to give more of his personal opinions and knowledge about this topic. For instance he could have gone into more detail about some personal experiences he had during his time there or how he felt affected as a person. In my opinion this type of novel would not require the author to give his personal thoughts however; I think in this particular case it would have made the information even more persuasive. I eventually was able to get an idea for his thoughts when he discusses how place consists of time, space, and experience along with explaining the four cultural structures that connect people with a place. Along with that, chapter two has illuminating points because I felt like Thornton eloquently described how names are given based on place and through that people can have life and find out more about their where they belong. To me, that was the backbone of this book because this culture thrives on the concept of having strong historic roots that connect with their land and personal being. This can illustrate how they have felt a sense of loss over time within their sacred culture due to a loss of knowledge about their past lineages. One aspect of this novel that I really appreciated was how it was framed around the idea of why these cultures are the way they are and why they have changed over time. Whereas information in textbooks is more centered on the idea of who, what, when, where and how. Thornton did a good job with enlightening the reader about why these cultures do what they do. He did a good job with demonstrating how this book not only informs about the Tlingit traditions and lifestyle, it also represents other cultures and how they can all intertwine in different ways. I felt like when I was finished reading this novel I was more informed about native cultures in general, specifically the Tlingit culture. My appreciation for this lifestyle has grown immensely after reading about the hardships not only the Tlingit people have encountered but also other surrounding native areas. Overall I was very impressed and I thought this novel exemplified the importance of this indigenous culture and its correlation with their heritage and where they belong.
From my standpoint the main takeaway from this novel was basic idea of place being related to people and where they belong. Their way of life is so heavily centered around the view that their land and culture have an immense impact on their values and beliefs. By taking away these valuable cornerstones in their life is destroying their sacred and rich culture. This novel is very useful not only for the Tlingit lifestyle but it can also apply to other Native cultures; which solidifies its legitimacy. The Tlingit people focus on the view that you do not abolish people when you take them away from their place, moreover you abolish their culture. It goes to show the loyalty, pride, and respect the Tlingit people have for not only their heritage but also their land and how much they care for where they belong. In conclusion this novel illustrates the importance of place along with tying together how it is so essential for the Tlingit culture to find their sense of belonging within their heritage and sacred traditions.
From my point of view I think this book was an interesting way to portray the Native American culture and their endeavors. Though I felt like it would have done Alexi more justice to structure the book and stories better, I do believe that his main takeaways and points had substance while they also creatively captured the audiences attention. The