HYDAH INDIANS IN CANADA

THE ISLANDS HAVE ABOUT 800 HYDAH WHO AREA REMARKABLE TRIBE. THEY STAND ABOUT 5 '7". THEY USE THE CANOE DAILY THEY DO LITTLE WALKING. MANY ARE EXPERT SWIMMERS, LIFTING OUT WOUNDED SEALS. WHICH HAVE SUNK TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN. THEY ARE INTELLIGENT.THEY WERE AFFECTED BY SMALLPOX. THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS ARE LACKING. THEY TREAT CHILDREN WELL. THEY MARRY WHEN QUITE YOUNG. THEIR MARRIAGES MAY BE PRE ARRANGED. WHEN A YOUNG MAN FALLS IN LOVE, HE TELLS HIS MOTHER. HIS MOTHER GOES TO THE GIRL'S MOTHER AND TELLS OF HER SON'S DESIRE TO MARRY. IF THEY ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL. THEY SET A TIME TO MARRY AND HAVE A CEREMONY. IF THEY ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL THEY SET A TIME TO MARRY AND HAVE A CEREMONY AT THE BRIDE'S HOUSE. SOME ARE CHRISTIAN AND HAVE A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE MARRY THEM.

HYDAH POTLATCHES ARE PROCEEDED BY A FEAST. THIS CUSTOM DISTRIBUTES PROPERTY AMONG THE TRIBES. THE POTLATCH IS A MEANS OF ACQUIRING POPULARITY AND INFLUENCE FOR LABOR DONE. SOME ARE GIVEN SOME ITEMS ARE GIVEN FOR POPULARITY AND INFLUENCE. THE BEST POTLATCHES ARE GIVEN BY CHIEFS. SOMETIMES HUNDREDS OF BLANKETS ARE DISTRIBUTED . SOME TIMES FEAST ARE HELD WHEN A GREAT TOTEM POLE IS ERECTED OR A HOUSE IS FINISHED WHEN EVERYONE ASSISTS. ALSO THEY HAVE A POTLATCH FOR WOMEN WHO ARRIVE AT MATURITY, AS WELL AS FOR FUNERALS.

THEY HYDAH ARE FOND OF DANCING AND DEVISE MANY FANCIFUL COSTUMES REPRESENTING BIRDS, BEASTS, AND FISH WHO HAVE HEADS WITH MOVING EYES. THEY WEAVE BLANKETS FROM THE WOOL OF MOUNTAIN GOAT. THEY VARVE MANY WHISTLES TO IMMITATE OWLS, WILD GEESE, EAGLES, AND OTHER ANIMALS. THEY HAVE MANY DANCES FOR VARIOUS REASONS. SOME HAVE BEEN ABANDONED DUE TO MISSIONARIES. THEY HAVE 5 TOTEMS OR CRESTS AMONG THEIR PEOPLE TO AVOID CLOSE RELATIONS. MARRIAGE IS FORBIDDEN BETWEEN PEOPLE OF THE SAME TOTEM.

THEY HAVE NO FORM OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. THEY BELIEV IN A GREAT SPIRIT, A FUTURE LIFE, AND A TRANSMIGRATION OF SOULS. WHITES CAME HERE AND PAID THEIR WOMEN FOR PROSTITUTION.

THEY HAVE MANY FAIRY TALES PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS.. THEIR MOST CREATIVE CHIEF IS CALLED "NEKILSTLAS", WHO TRANSFORMS HIMSELF INTO MEN, CHILDREN, BEASTS AND FISH AND PERFORMS MIRACLES.

THEY LIVE PRIMARILY BY EATING FISH AND BIRDS. LATELY THEY HAVE TRADED FOR FLOUR, RICE, SUGAR, COFFEE, AND CRACKERS. HALIBUT, SALMON, AND HERRING , ETC. ARE DRIED AND SMOKED. THEY GATHER BERRIES AND CRABAPPLES, AS WELL AS BULBS AND OTHER ROOTS.

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