波多拉支的兴衰与图腾柱文化传统的失落——加拿大印第安人图腾柱文化象征阐释

Potlatch and the Loss of Traditional Totem Pole Culture——Symbolic Meanings of Totem Pole Culture of Canadian Indians

图腾柱是北美西北太平洋沿岸地区印第安人最引人注目的文化象征。在我国,图腾柱长期被误读为原始图腾信仰的表征。本文指出图腾柱是一种典型的徽标物,是特权等级和社会地位的象征符号,其本质是构成当地传统社会制度核心的波多拉支。

Totem pole is the most prominent symbol of the Northwest Coast Indians. Totem pole has long been misread as a representative of Totemism in China. This paper suggests that totem pole is a typical crest object and is the symbol of privilege and social status. Potlatch is the essence of the traditional totem pole culture.