The Twana were from the Puget Sound area of Washington state in the United States. The Twana consisted of nine different communities (Dabop, Quilcine, Dosewallips, Duckabush, Vance Creek, Hoodsport, Tahuya, Duhleap, and Skokomish). Men hunted deer, elk, waterfowl, and other animals for food. The Twana ate more fish than game animals. The women collected shellfish, berries, mushrooms, roots, and other plants for food. Fishing, hunting, and gathering not only provided the tribes with food, but allowed them to have buckskin fur, blankets, baskets, clothes and feathers. The baskets and other products that are still popular today and can be bought on the internet. Three kinds of canoes were built for means of transportation on waterways. The largest was used for transporting large quantities of cargo and for trading with other tribes. There were two important ceremonies performed once a year. The first was a first salmon ceremony held every year to honor the catching of the first salmon of the season. The fish was carried to the village by two elders with its head pointing upstream. It was then roasted and the entire community took a part in eating it. After the meal there was dancing and the bones of the salmon were floated down the river to return to the salmon people. There, the first salmon would report on the gracious treatment and respect it had received. The Twana saw this gesture of thankfulness and it was essential to ensuring the return of the salmon. A first elk ceremony was also performed to maintain the relationship with this important resource. Hunters and fishermen also observed special rituals to commemorate their first catches. These ceremonies are still performed today.
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By: Wendy Pickett