Tlingit clans

The Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska have two moieties (otherwise known as descent groups) in their society, each of which is divided into a number of clans. Each clan has its own history, songs, and totems, and each forms a social network of extended families which functions as a political unit in Tlingit society.

The two moieties of the Tlingit society are the Raven ("Yéil") and Eagle/Wolf ("Ch'aak'/Gooch"). The latter has two names because its primary crest differs between the north and the south regions of Tlingit territory, probably due to influence from the neighboring tribes of Haida and Tsimshian. Each moiety is further subdivided into clans, and each clan is itself subdivided into houses.

The Tlingit clans have names whose meaning typically reflects the foundation story of the clan. The clans are usually referred to in English by the name of their primary crest, such as "Deisheetaan" being called "Beaver Clan". However, naming the crest is not a reliably accurate way of referring to a clan since some crests may be held by multiple clans. Clans of opposite moieties occasionally claim the same crest, but such irregular ownership is usually due to a debt owed by some other clan; until the debt is paid the clan holding the debt claims the crest of the clan which owes the debt as a means of shaming it.

In the list below the Tlingit name of the clan is given with its primary crest in parentheses, followed by the various kwáan (region or village) in which they are found. Known houses are listed beneath each clan.

Note that not all clans listed below are extant today; some have been absorbed into other clans, others have died out due to not having any female descendants, and a few have simply been lost to history. In fact, it is not absolutely certain that all of the clans listed are actually independent, since the process of clan creation was a long-term and fluid phenomenon. This matter of questionable independence is exemplified by the Kak'weidí who descend from the Deisheetaan—some members claim that they are merely a house within the Deisheetaan clan, others claim that they are a small but fully independent clan.

Raven Clans ("Yéil naa")

* Gaanax.ádi — Galyáx, Xunaa, T'aaku, Aak'w, S'awdáan, Takjik'aan, Taant'a
* Táakw.aaneidí
* Gaanaxteidí
* T'éex'.ádi
* Ishkeetaan/Ishkahítaan
* L'ukwnax.ádi
* X'at'ka.aayí
* Koosk'eidí/Xaas híttaan
* X'alchaneidí
* Kiks.ádi (Frog/Herring Rock/Wood Worm)
* Teeyhíttaan
* Teeyineidí
* Deisheetaan (Beaver) —
* Aanx'aakíttaan/Aanx'aak híttaan
* L'eeneidí
* T'akdeintaan (Sea Pigeon)
* L'ukwaax.ádi
* Noowshaka.aayí
* Kwáashk'ikwáan/Kwáashk' Kwáan
* Weix'hineidí
* Yéeskaneidí
* L'ookwhineidí
* Kuyeidí
* Téel' híttaan
* Sakwteeneidí/Sukwteeneidí
* Kijookw híttaan/Gijookw híttaan
* Taneidí
* Kookw híttaan
* Kayaa.ádi
* Tukwyeidí/Tukwweidí
* Kaasx'agweidí
* Taalkweidí
* Kuyéik'.ádi

Eagle/Wolf Clans ("Ch'aak'/Gooch naa")

* Yanyeidí (wolf)
* Kaagwaantaan (only eagle)
* Lkweidi
* Teikweidí
* Dagisdinaa
* Jishkweidí
* Dakl'aweidí
* Shangukeidí
* Wooshkeetaan
* Chookaneidí
* Kadakw.ádi
* Tsaateeneidí
* S'eet'kweidí
* Kookhittaan
* Tsaagweidí
* Nees.ídi
* Was'ineidí
* Naasteidí
* Kayaashkeiditaan
* Naanyaa.aayí
* Sik'nax.ádi
* Xook'eidí
* Kaax'oos.hittaan
* Neix.ádi

References

* Emmons, George Thornton (1991). "The Tlingit Indians". Volume 70 in Anthropolgical Papers of the American Museum of Natural History. Edited with additions by Frederica De Laguna. New York: American Museum of Natural History. ISBN 0-295-97008-1.
* Hope III, Andrew (2000). [http://www.ankn.uaf.edu/TlingitMap/ Traditional Tlingit Country – Map and Tribal List] . Juneau, Alaska: Alaska Native Knowledge Network.