Athapaskan-Tlingit trade relations: the case for balanced reciprocity
| dc.contributor.author | Decosse, Simonne Sigthora | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Donald, Leland H. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-11-07T20:47:49Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-11-07T20:47:49Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1980 | |
| dc.degree.department | Department of Anthropology | |
| dc.description.abstract | This thesis presents an analysis of 19th century Athapaskan Tlingit trade relations. Using Sahlins' theory of primitive exchange, an alternative to the current hypothesis of Tlingit domination and exploitation of the Athapaskans is proposed. The approach differs from previous ones in that trade transactions are viewed in terms of a system of interactions and it is the relationship rather than the simple exchange of goods which is the focal point of interest. The underlying assumption is that as the majority of Athapaskan-Tlingit interactions occurred in the context of trade, it is the nature of their exchanges which established the posit ion of one group vis-a-vis the other and which therefore defines their relationship as a whole. In conformity to the nature of the data, the thesis employs ethno-historical techniques of data analysis. The examination of trade practices highlights the crucial role of trade partners and demonstrates the conformity of Athapaskan Tlingit exchanges to Sahlins' model of balanced reciprocity. It is argued that the trade partner and kinship relation set the framework for Athapaskan-Tlingit interactions by placing the traders within a specified social relationship for which there were clearly defined rules of behavior and by imposing mutual obligations and restrictions upon them. The classification of Athapaskan-Tlingit trade as balanced ii. reciprocity which rests upon a principle of equality is in stark contrast to the prevalent view of Tlingit domination and exploitation of the Athapaskans. It is argued, however, that the assumption of Tlingit exploitation has been based upon inadequate measures of the "profits" they are alleged to have gleaned from the trade. When approached from the native perspective, the trade may well have consisted of a series of fair exchanges and may not have involved "profit" in the western sense. A re-examination of the evidence most frequently cited in support of Tlingit domination demonstrates that the behavior of both groups can be interpreted as in conformity to the mutual obligations imposed upon them by their trade partnership agreement. Thus, Athapaskan-Tlingit relations can be seen as con forming to the general pattern of balanced reciprocity as expressed in the formalities and bartering techniques employed in their exchanges. This thesis is presented as a contribution to our understanding of Athapaskan-Tlingit trade relationships and as a demonstration of the usefulness of Sahlins' theory of primitive exchange. | |
| dc.description.scholarlevel | Graduate | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22903 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.rights | Available to the World Wide Web | |
| dc.title | Athapaskan-Tlingit trade relations: the case for balanced reciprocity | |
| dc.type | Thesis |