Feature

After moving onto the reservation, the Klamath were faced with relentless outside pressure to give up their culture. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs had a policy that insisted natives conform to white man's ways. The transformation was to take place peacefully, if possible, and forcibly, if necessary.

The Klamath did not give up their culture as demanded by the government. Instead, imposition of the policy sparked a revival of native customs. The Ghost Dance was one ritual that the Klamath brought back to save important aspects of their culture. Traditions such as shamanism and spirit worship were integrated into the dance. The Ghost Dance predicted that if rituals were performed properly, the dead would return and carry the natives into a new age and era of freedom. The extinction of whites was predicted as a part of the Klamath's projected future.

History

The Klamath were made up of six separate tribes in the Oregon Territory. Each tribe had its own chief. The title of chief was not inherited in the Klamath tribe. Chiefs were chosen because the tribe thought they were wise and because they had been successful in war. War played an important role in the history of the Klamath. Much of their wealth came from looting the valuables of other tribes and taking prisoners for slaves.

By the mid-1800s, the Oregon Trail had caused the number of settlers in the area to increase. The murder of several Klamath resulted in intense distrust between the natives and the settlers. The Klamath resented the settlers for bringing disease and chasing off much of the hunting game. Disease and starvation had devastating effects on the Klamath, effects that forced them to negotiate with the settlers.

In 1864, the Klamath, Modocs, and Yahooskin signed a treaty giving land to the United States in exchange for a reservation on Klamath Lake. Being confined to one place forced many life style changes. The strong-willed Klamath were eager to adopt the new ways of living and became successful cattle ranchers, farmers, and lumberjacks.

The Klamath experienced nearly a century of peace and success before 1964 when Congress terminated the tribe's federal recognition. The tribe suffered the loss of nearly two million acres of reservation land and their treaty-protected rights to hunt, gather, and fish. Ten years later, the government reissued treaty rights to the tribes. Twelve years later, the government reinstated federal recognition but never returned their land. The survival of the Klamath and their culture is certainly a testament to the strength of the Klamath people.

Culture

The Klamath refer to themselves as maklaks or “people.” The name Klamath was most likely given to them by other tribes because they lived near Klamath Lake and marsh.

The Klamath spoke Klamath and Modoc. Both languages come from the Lutuami language family.

The Klamath worshiped a multitude of spirits. Their religion consisted of many rituals and traditions. The Klamath practiced shamanism in times of sickness, charmed their arrows in times of war, performed sweathouse prayers in times of death, and believed in charms and good luck.

Youths sought supernatural guidance by spending a night alone in the wilderness. At morning, they would return to the tribe and fast for several days. Their journey was never discussed, but sometimes they would return with powers. Powers said to be commonly granted by the spirits were shamanism, projected wealth, and gambling fortune.

Young Klamath girls generally arranged their own marriages. If a girl’s parents approved the union, the marriage was made official by the exchange of gifts between families. Adulterers were dealt with harshly. It was not uncommon for adulterers to be jailed, whipped, or even killed.

Government

Every member of the Klamath over 18 years of age can enroll to become a part of the general council. The tribal council is made up of 10 members who are elected every 4 years.