Potlatch: Native Ceremony and Myth on the Northwest Coast

by Mary Beck

Book Overview

Among the Northwest Coast Indians (Tlingit, Haida, and others), potlatches traditionally are lavish community gatherings marking important events, such as funerals or marriages. In celebrations that often last many days, sumptuous meals are served; legends about clans and ancestors are sung and enacted with dances, masks, costumes, and drums; totem poles are often raised; and gifts are presented to all guests. Through this custom, cultural ties...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0882408208
• ISBN13: 9780882408200
• Release Date: March 2013
• Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.9" x 8.8"