StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
This research paper describes the museum exhibition about nations, that was held at the National Museum of the American Indian. This institute is dedicated to the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of the Native Americans of the Western Hemisphere. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.4% of users find it useful
Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations"

Due Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations The National Museum of the American Indian is run under the sponsorship of the Smithsonian institute which is dedicated to the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of the Native Americans of the Western Hemisphere. Some of the artifacts exhibited here are those of the Northwest Coast tribes (Stewart, 16). The national people are the pre-Columbian residents of the appeasing Northwest Coast and they are presently to be found in the Canadian Province of British Columbia and in some states of the U.S which include: Alaska, Washington and Oregon. The most well off populace of the Northwest Coast were the Haida and the Tlingit. These exhibits simplify their cultures and their ancient habits as is discussed below. One is their food and this is exposed in the museum by the objects like baskets, fishing nets, clasps and canoes. It was a rich place and these tribes were attracted by the magnificent mountains, beaches, thick forests and mild weather. There was abundant salmon that wandered through coastal river and provided a reliable source of food. To gather the rains, tribes had developed dams, fish weirs, traps and nets, fish baskets, clasps and lines and other technologies. Halibut was harvested with specialty designed hooks and floats. Their movement from one location to the other was made simple by dugout canoes which took them into the waters that encircled the numerous land masses of the coastal area (Stewart, 24).Due to high productivity of the territory there was efficiency in provision of food and this allowed tribes to have time to extend their distinctive body of artwork. They valued cedar tree and used it to construct baskets, nets for fishing and tying ropes. The inhabitants of the Northwest Coast had affluent cultures and they practiced a lot of activities and this can also be traced in the museum. One of their cultural function was a potlatch which is a very multifaceted event where people came together to remember a particular occasion for instance appointment of a new chief, tattooing ceremonies, conquest over battle and so forth. The citizens engaged in competition with each other during the event and every tribe was given a chance to put on show its wealth. The chief from each tribe presents gifts to visitors present so as to ascertain his status and authority. It was believed that by appreciating the gifts from the chief, the visitors expressed their endorsement for the chief. During this great feast there were displays like burning of articles or throwing stuff into the sea to symbolize the richness of the chief. The occasion would then be graced by dancing and dramas from well talented groups (Waldman, 42). In addition the Northwest tribes had a diversity of music which varied depending on the gathering to be held and the expression required. The main reason of this music was spiritual to tribute the creator and ancestors (Stewart, 27). They had many songs with special dancing styles and most of the singing was stated by a soloist then the community joined in. There were also songs which were done in groups of men or women alone and not necessarily accompanied by instruments. Music is evidenced by the many exhibits of instruments which were used and they include hand drums made of animal hides, plank drums, log drums, box drums, whistlers, wood clappers, and rattles. Each family had their own songs and they kept rehearsing as those who made errors in music were punished. The presence of beads, shells and porcupine spikes in the museum is a good sign of artwork. In all the tribal communities people had abundant talents in arts. The art was mostly enhanced by the plentiful natural resources. During their leisure time they made beautiful objects, clothes and ornaments and apart from the beauty aspect they were used to broadcast their history, ancestral and educative stories, possessions and wisdom from the old age group to the younger generation. It was through art that they catered for most of their daily needs like outfits, shelter, utensils and devices which they used for hunting and war. The baskets were used for luggage compartment and transportation purposes. Moreover, art acted as a connection between the indigenous citizens and the soil they originated from as it took them back to their olden times, heredity, birth places and the way of life in the earlier days (Waldman, 54). The Northwest coastal tribes valued spirituality and they considered it as a pillar of their everyday life; most of their worldly belongings were embellished with symbols and signs that signified very significant figures. The spirit who guarded them was manifested many types of objects and will be acquired in times of sacrifice, fasting and prayer (Waldman, 65). The affiliation between an individual and his/her guardian spirit was personal and at times would be articulated through songs and dances done during ceremonies. They also believed in the healing power of the supernatural beings. On the other hand the Northwest Coastal ethnic groups do have a reservation which is Nisqually Indian Reservation. Nisqually is a national American tribe in western Washington State in the United States and they exist in the above mentioned reservation in the Nisqually River valley near the river delta. The Quileute people are perhaps the most well identified for their outstanding language. The ethnic group used to identify themselves as the citizens of the grass country. Just like the other tribes of the Northwest, the people of Nisqually people carried out fishing activity for salmon as their daily lifestyle (Stewart, 43). As a fishing people, fishing was not only regarded as a source of their food but was also valued as the establishment of their culture. This tribe has well structured governance body which is the General Council and their constitution and bylaws were permitted on September 1946 and later amended in 1994. The daily business and economic dealings of the tribe are watched over by a tribal committee composed of seven tribal members selected by the tribe’s voting membership. Another ancient culture is craftsmanship which was commonly done by the quileutes; they were talented builders and craftsmen. Just like the other tribes in that territory they were experts in making strong boats and canoes for whaling and could hold tons of cargo and people. A further case in point is the impermeable skirts and hats they used to craft so as to safeguard themselves against serious rainfall. Up to date the Quileute language is used by the citizens; unfortunately it is at risk of vanishing for it is spoken merely by ethnic leaders at La Push, and several of the Makah (Waldman.66). It is also unrelated from most others verbal languages around the sphere in that, the language have no "m" or "n" nasal sounds. The words in Quileute language used to be very elongated and could from time to time convey thoughts rather than simply words. Work Cited Stewart, Hillary. Indian Fishing: Early Methods on the Northwest Coast. Columbia: Douglas and McIntyre Ltd, 2004. Print. Waldman, Carl. Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. New York: InfoBase publishing, 2006. Print. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations Research Paper”, n.d.)
Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations Research Paper. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/history/1594968-museum-exhibit-infinity-of-nations
(Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations Research Paper)
Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations Research Paper. https://studentshare.org/history/1594968-museum-exhibit-infinity-of-nations.
“Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations Research Paper”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/history/1594968-museum-exhibit-infinity-of-nations.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Museum Exhibit: Infinity of Nations

Applying Foucaults Panopticism

One of the well-known principles that are laid out in his works is the panoptic principle, the idea that constant surveillance, or more appropriately the constant… Foucault takes Jeremy Bentham's model prison that uses the Panopticon, and extends it to the idea that modern society operates in pretty much the same way....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Wakefield by: Nathaniel Hawthore and Sphinx Without a Secret by:Oscar Wilde

Art and literature have mostly depicted characters that move out of the box, i.... .... to break away from the normal qualms of life and to perceive their world in various perspectives and angles that are… Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of America's greatest writers who created philosophical issues and the irony is that his works though written many years ago, the issues that had plagued man then still continue to plague man even today....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Islams Role in Early Islamic Conquest

Historians have long sought to answer the question of what defined the rapid success and territorial gains that the Islamic Empire was able to effect within the first few decades after the faith itself was established.... The ultimate question that pervades this discussion is… In other words, was the inclusion of the Islamic faith a central component to why the Arab led invasions of the vast swaths of territory The importance of this particular research question is contingent upon the role of Islam in a geopolitical sense; arguably something that has a great deal of relevance within the current era....
16 Pages (4000 words) Essay

Attitudes toward Economic Globilsation

The essay “Attitudes toward Economic Globalization” will seek to engage a broader understanding of the process of globalization as it exists throughout the world today.... It will specifically be concentric upon the difficulties and opportunities that globalization has created.... hellip; The author claims that globalization has changed international business in a litany of different ways over the past several decades....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Analysis of Camilo Jose Vergaras Award-Winning: The New American Ghetto

"Analysis of Camilo Jose Vergara's Award-Winning: The New American Ghetto" paper studies the life and works of the great photographer, whose pictures have brought to light a completely different status of American society, with special emphasis on his award-winning collection of ghettos.... hellip; In the end, we may conclude by saluting the author for a unique project undertaken in an era where people put money and professional growth above national interest, applaud the efforts taken to present to the world an unimaginable America and sum up the entire award-winning book in just one word: Phenomenal....
6 Pages (1500 words) Case Study

The Rise of Papacy in Rome

"The Rise of Papacy in Rome" paper argues that the rise of papacy to power did not happen piecemeal.... It took place as a result of perfect planning and implementation.... Popes throughout history managed to conquer the minds of people and fill them with the fear of divine damnation.... hellip; The second important point was the subordination of peasants and slaves....
7 Pages (1750 words) Coursework

Religious Activity among the Yoruba and Religious Expression on the Island of Cuba

eliefs of the Religion of YorubaThe people of Yoruba exhibit beliefs such as belief in Olodunmare the most imperative being in the world, the maker of heavens and the earth, with no beginning.... The paper "Religious Activity among the Yoruba and Religious Expression on the Island of Cuba" states people of Yoruba have various religious practices since ancient times because when the slave trade was booming, many Yoruba were shipped to the Caribbean countries that practiced catholic religion....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Analysis of Dock by Phyllida Barlow

Barlow had remained unknown among international circuit until her shows in the Migros museum and Vienna's BAWAG foundation from 2010.... "Analysis of Dock by Phyllida Barlow" paper focuses on this large installation that is so far the most ambitious work contributed by the artist....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us