The Northwest Coast Native American Potlatch Ceremony

One particular of the most preferred ceremonies amongst Native peoples is the Northwest Coast Native American potlatch (or potlach of Native Indians of the Pacific Northwest). The potlatch has been practiced by Native nations which includes the Haida, Salish, Tlingit, Tsimshian and Kwakwaka'wak for thousands of years.

Potlatches can be held to celebrate births, rites of passages, weddings, funerals, puberty and honoring of deceased. These celebrations will ordinarily involve a feast, music, some theatrical performances involving tribal masks and spiritual events. The host household of every potlatch will also demonstrate their wealth and social status by distributing gifts to the guests. Gifts integrated meals, canoes, blankets, copper and numerous other kinds of products. Potlatches will frequently elevate the prestige of the hosts even much more.

Potlatches had been also utilized to assert or formally transfer to heirs, particular financial or ceremonial privileges. The gifts had been consequently employed as payments to the guests for becoming witnesses to claims because written records had been not created.

Reduce status households would hold potlatches on a nearby scale whilst the elite would invite guests from quite a few tribes to grander events. Occasionally, rival households would be in competitors to outdo every single other in elaborate potlatches. The potlatch itself would either be held inside a big longhouse or outdoors.

Sadly, missionaries deemed the potlatch to be demonic and satanic. Therefore, they have been in a position to get the Canadian government to ban potlatches in 1885. The US government also placed a comparable ban in the late 19th century. Potlatches continued on a considerably smaller sized scale and in secrecy away from non-native eyes. The bans on the potlatch have been ultimately lifted in the US in 1934 and in Canada in 1951.

Potlatches are nonetheless held right now but of course, the sorts of gifts are also far more modern and can involve helpful loved ones things, Native art as nicely as money.

Clint Leung is owner of Free of charge Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca , an on the internet gallery specializing in Inuit art and Native American Indian art. which includes carvings and prints. Also quite a few details articles and videos.

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