Royal Values

[Zorra]

Potlatch

A potlatch<1><2> is a festival ceremony and primary economic system<3> practiced by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. This includes Haida, Nuxalk, Tlingit, Makah, Tsimshian,<4> Nuu-chah-nulth,<5> Kwakwaka'wakw,<3> and Coast Salish<6> cultures. The word comes from the Chinook Jargon, meaning "to give away" or "a gift." It went through a history of rigorous ban by both the Canadian and United States' federal governments, and has been the study of many anthropologists.

Within it, hierarchical relations within and between clans, villages, and nations, are observed and reinforced through the distribution or sometimes destruction of wealth, dance performances, and other ceremonies. The status of any given family is raised not by who has the most resources, but by who distributes the most resources. The hosts demonstrate their wealth and prominence through giving away goods. Chief O'wax̱a̱laga̱lis of the Kwagu'ł describes the potlatch in his famous speech to anthropologist Franz Boas,

"We will dance when our laws command us to dance, and we will feast when our hearts desire to feast. Do we ask the white man, 'Do as the Indian does?' It is a strict law that bids us dance. It is a strict law that bids us distribute our property among our friends and neighbors. It is a good law. Let the white man observe his law; we shall observe ours. And now, if you come to forbid us dance, be gone. If not, you will be welcome to us."

It is important to note the differences and uniqueness among the different cultural groups and nations along the coast. Each nation, tribe, and sometimes clan has its own way of practicing the potlatch with diverse presentation and meaning. The potlatch, as an overarching term, is quite general, since some cultures have many words in their language for various specific types of gatherings. Nonetheless, the main purpose has been and still is the redistribution of wealth procured by families.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch

Many indigenous tribes in North America practiced their own respective forms of potlatch, commonly called Giveway.

What's really sad is that potlatching was made illegal in the US in the late 19th century, cuz missionaries and government agents considered it a useless custom that was seen as unproductive and contrary to "civilized" values.

[iemitsu]

1. contrary to capitalist values,

that is.
it is too bad that the native northwest coast peoples did not have the power to influence the "royal values" of western europeans.

[Zorra]

2. Yeah.

Maybe someday, possibly due to necessity, western people will adopt sharing and conserving as a way of life.

[iemitsu]

3. one can always hope.

and lead by example.
i actually think that material goods are a burden. it is freeing to rid oneself of things.
and others think you are sacrificing.

[Zorra]

4. I agree.

Seems to work very well.

[bobbolink]

8. Well, that's what we did back at People's Park, waaay back in the day.

And, here is a photo for you:



And, for today's celebration of our 50th state:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1000952

[Odin2005]

5. +1,000,000,000,000,000,000

[Odin2005]

6. "O'waxalagalis of the Kwagu'l" sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie.

The Salishian languages are nutso. :rofl:

[bobbolink]

7. Thank you so much for a beautiful essay on our 49th state! We had so much to learn from them!

This year I had the pleasure of meeting Team Yukon, who built this wonderful snow sculpture they entitled "Family Reunion... Dancing With The Ancestors"

<.img>

We would do well to learn some of their wisdom!

Thank you for the wonderful post! :yourock: