An Aboriginal Potlatch
Connection with the environment
- Apart from the fact that potlatches are usually conducted outdoors, the potlatch ceremony does not directly involve a connection to the physical world.
- Potlatches are very secular ceremonies within the Aboriginal spirituality.
- Secularism- The values of present society are of central importance.
Life Interconnection
- A potlatch is celebrated with several cultures.
- It expresses the belief is all interconnected because during the potlatch, the people are connecting with each other through the gift giving ceremony.
- All the various cultures that are present connect with each other through celebration, or mourning.
Sacred Articles
- The potlatch is a means of distributing wealth. During the ceremony, the host presents gifts to the guests which correspond with their rank in society.
- The gifts can include canoes, carved dishes, eulachen oil, and, in the earlier days, slaves.
- The more wealth distributed the greater prrestige was conferred upon the host.
The Meaning and Purpose of the Potlatch
- A potlatch is a traditional gathering held by many coastal Aboriginal groups.
- A means of confirming in public any changes in status such as marriage, birth, death, and coming of age.
- The potlatch was a primary means of distributing wealth and presenting gifts to others