Potlatch

The American NorthWest coast had two important periods: one of hard work, which was summer, and one of ceremonies and parties, which was winter. Especially the latter was known to be the time in which totem poles were raised in the presence of entire families and villages. This ceremony is known as the Potlatch and carries the same importance as a wedding or a birth for Indigenous North American families. (Totem Poles door Marjorie M. Halpin 1981: bladzijde 10).

Wealthy families were able to host these lavish ceremonies which sometimes lasted for days. This was a way for indigenous families to honor and acknowledge their history in the presence of other tribe leaders, specifically to challenge them. Potlatches often included large quantities of food and presents which would be destroyed by the hosting family and the guests. The purpose of this was to challenge rival tribes https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch.

Would you like to see what such a ceremony looks like nowadays? Then click to the side room. After that we continue with our story.