Tsimshian Texts (Nass River Dialect) By Franz Boas [1902]

The Tsimshian are a tribe of Native Americans residing on the coast of British Columbia. This was the first set of Tsimshian texts with English translations that Boas published. The companion book, Tsimshian Texts (New Series), published in 1912, is also available at Dark Side of the Net.

Boas notes that these were 'only moderately well told'. In several cases, the narratives duplicate stories documented elsewhere in the Northwest region. However, these texts stand by themselves and make interesting reading. Boas' Tsimshian collection techniques have been criticized in recent years, but the extensive parallels with other bodies of folklore, both regionally and globally, leave no doubt that these stories are authentic.

Note about the picture: The Edward Curtiss photograph (above) is actually of a Kwakiutl ceremony, a neighboring tribe. However it is very typical of the region.

Supplementary Stories

Abstracts