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Ku-tee-ya means totem.
These folks are visiting friends and relatives here on Bainbridge Island for the fourth of July. These dancers are from the Tlingit tribe in South East Alaska. |
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Each dancer is dressed in regalia pertaining to their clan. Some of the clan names are as follows; Under the Eagle are the Bear, Wolf, Shark. Under the Raven is the Beaver, Dog Salmon, Frog. |
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They perform all over the United States. Traditionally these dances were preformed at the "Potlatch's" within their tribe. The potlatch was for the purpose of honoring a family tradition, a new totem pole, or a death in the tribe. |
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When a person passes away it is a forty day process one clan puts on the Potlatch and a year later the other clan puts on a similar event as a repayment for the respect of the other clan. |
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This year, after the Fourth of July parade they will leave the Island for another engagement at Fort Lewis.
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Ku-tee-ya is available for bookings and you can call:
Rodger Dore at 253-596-2657 for information.
Artwork of the Eagle and the Raven by Joe Bennett of Bainbridge Is.
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