What is a Potlatch? (Giveaway Ceremony)
The Potlatch is a sacred celebration usually marking a special event such as a girl's first menses, a marriage, a birth, a death or a naming ceremony. Traditionally they were held not only to honour the event but to establish and maintain the social position of the host. The more generous the host was with gifts and food and an abundance of speakers, dancers and ceremony, then the higher the achieved status of the host. In European culture status is measured by the accumulation of wealth but in the Potatch tradition status is measured by the ability to distribute wealth. This instilled in every individual the knowledge that when we take care of each other, we will always be taken care of. Nuu-chah-nulth, Coast Salish, Kwakiutl, Bella Coola, Haida, Nootka, Tsimshian, and Tlingit all followed the Potlatch tradition.
- Start with a smudge
- cook salmon
- eat buffalo or venison (available in some grocers now)
- eat berries
- drink pine needle tea
- alternate eating small portions of your feast with:
- storytelling
- doing crafts
- doing a little dancing
- playing some games
- having a giveaway ceremony
- Potlatches lasted for days so there were lots of events and activities that alternated with feasting
- Keep the spirit of enjoyment and leisure foremost, give thanks for food, gifts and stories. Teach a gratitude attitude
As always, with flame and smoke be safety aware, if anyone has asthma it is best to smudge outside.