What was the purpose of totem poles?
Totem poles were made by the Indians of the northwest. These tribes knew nothing of farming or pottery. But they could build neat wooden houses and weave fancy blankets., make fine baskets and work with copper and stone. Their guady totem poles prove that they were great wood carvers. Keeping up with the joneses is an expression that means trying to impress the neighbors. The smiths buy an extra tv set, not because they need or really want one, but because the joneses have an extra tv. The joneses refuse to be outdone, so they scoop out a second swimming pool, just to show the world that they are as good or better than the neighbors. This kind of family pride is nothing new. The Indians of the pacific northwest., from Oregon to Alaska, knew all about it. They carved and painted their gaudy totem poles to show the rest of the world how very, very important they were. These tribes lived in wooden villages along the shores. They went to sea in splendid canoes to fish and to hunt for whale
