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Tsimshian Society and Culture
Warfare
Fortification
Raids by small groups of tribes from the interior driven by
hunger posed a constant threat to the Tsimshian, as did major,
but infrequent, raids by Haida and Tlingit from their islands
to the west and north.
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Model of Kitwanga Fort, by Arthur Price
and Dr. G.F. MacDonald.
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Tsimshian men built fort-like enclosures to protect their clans
during times of invasion. The original
Kitwanga
Fort was built by the ancient warrior, Nekt, on a hill about 3 km north
of the present village of Kitwanga. Nekt was a highly feared warrior who
led raids against villages on the coast and on the Nass River. To
defend against enemy raids, a fence of spiked logs was built around
the five houses of his tribe. The logs could be released to roll
down onto the invaders. The "man-crushing log" became a crest that
was put on totem poles by some Kitwanga and Gitsegyukla families.
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