Diving Deep into What the Tlingit Believed

Diving Deep into What the Tlingit Believed

The Tlingit, or Lingít, are the original people of the Pacific Northwest Coast, calling Southeast Alaska, plus slivers of British Columbia and Yukon in Canada, home. Their culture? It’s a vibrant tapestry woven with the threads of their environment, and at its heart lies a belief system that’s shaped how they’ve interacted with the world for, well, ages. You see, while Russian Orthodox Christianity made its mark in the 1800s, the spirit of the old ways? It’s far from gone. Many Tlingit are keeping those traditions alive, or rediscovering them, giving fresh life to the wisdom of their ancestors.

The Tlingit Worldview: More Than Just Beliefs

Okay, so the Tlingit didn’t exactly have a written-down bible. But their beliefs? They formed a complete, if unwritten, philosophy and religion. Let’s break down some of the big ideas:

• The Big Kahuna: The Creator. Think of Kah-shu-goon-yah as the ultimate power. This was the name for the Creator, so sacred it was barely whispered. This being? Supposedly in charge of the sun, moon, stars, and good ol’ daylight, not to mention the mastermind behind every living thing.
• Raven: Not Your Average Bird. Forget cute and cuddly. Raven (Nass-aa-geyeil’) is the ultimate multi-tasker. Cultural hero? Check. Benefactor? Yep. Trickster and rascal? Absolutely. He’s the one who shaped the world as we know it and kick-started a lot of Tlingit customs. The creation story? It’s all about Raven, also known as Kit-ka’ositiyi-qa-yit, getting the mojo from his dad to build a world. It took a few tries, but he nailed it. Except… it was dark. So, being Raven, he brought light to the party.
• Spirits Everywhere! The Tlingit world is buzzing with spirits (yéiks or JEK). These aren’t Casper-the-Friendly-Ghost types. They’re forces that can show their power through people, animals, even objects. This belief? It’s why the Tlingit have such a deep respect for everything around them. Messing with the balance could mean losing your ability to hunt or fish. Talk about consequences!
• Dueling Forces. The Tlingit see the world as a series of opposites. Light vs. dark, water vs. forest – classic stuff. It reflects their environment, sure, but it’s also a way of understanding how things work.
• The Breath of Life. Xh’aséikw is where it’s at. Think of it as the life force, the very essence of being. It’s like breath itself. And k̲aa toowú? That’s the whole package – your feelings, your thoughts, everything that makes you, well, you. It’s a core concept in Tlingit culture.

What Happens When We Check Out? The Tlingit Afterlife

The Tlingit believed you’ve got a mortal spirit and an immortal one. Where the immortal one ends up? Depends on how you behaved while alive. Be a good egg, and you’re headed to Kiwa-a, the ultimate happy place. Mess up, and you might find yourself in a second-tier heaven or, worse, Ketl-kiwa, a realm of torment. But here’s the kicker: it’s not a one-way ticket. Eventually, you’d be back, reincarnated as a relative on your mom’s side. Cremation was the go-to move, because they thought your soul hung out near the bonfire in the spirit world. And those ashes? Carefully collected and placed with the bones of your ancestors. It was all about making sure your spirit was comfy in the afterlife and ready for its next gig.

The Shaman: The Ultimate Go-Between

The ixht’, or shaman, was the rockstar of Tlingit society. Healer, fortune teller, mediator – this person did it all.

• Job Description: Everything. From healing the sick to predicting the future, making sure the fishing was good, and protecting everyone from evil and witchcraft – the shaman had a full plate.
• Spirit Squad. Shamans had spirit helpers, often animal spirits. They’d fast and perform rituals to get the spirit of an animal on their side, adding its tongue to their collection of spiritual allies.
• Chosen From Birth? Future shamans were often picked out by the elders before they were even born. They just knew. Training involved learning the ropes of the spirit world and how to handle sacred objects.
• Fading Away. Sadly, shamanism took a hit in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Old World diseases and conversions to Christianity played a big part.

Tlingit Beliefs Today

Okay, so a lot of Tlingit folks embraced Russian Orthodox Christianity, often as a way to stick it to the man and resist being swallowed up by outside forces. But the old beliefs? They didn’t just vanish. Today, many Tlingit find a way to blend Christianity with their traditional culture. They get their strength and identity from the wisdom of their ancestors. You’ll still see hints of shamanism in rituals and ceremonies, especially when it comes to using sacred objects and regalia. And the stories and songs of the shamans? They’re still being told, keeping the flame alive.

The Takeaway

The Tlingit belief system? It’s a wild, beautiful mix of creation stories, a sense that everything has a spirit, and a deep, abiding connection to the natural world. Sure, they’ve faced some tough times, but the Tlingit are working hard to keep their spiritual heritage alive. And that’s something to celebrate.