The Potlatch Is a Ceremony of Kwakiutl People of the Pacific

question 14

Essay

The potlatch is a ceremony of Kwakiutl people of the Pacific Northwest that serves both practical and ceremonial functions, in that it redistributes resources for the benefit of the group and it establishes the chief's social status and prestige by displaying his capacity for generosity. Give two examples of similar gift-giving practices in your own society. What is the function of gift giving in these examples -how does it benefit the giver, the receiver, and the social group generally? What would happen if an individual did not give a gift? What influences may be changing these gift-giving practices? Do you think they will continue in the future?

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