Potlatch: Native Ceremony and Myth on the Northwest Coast

by Mary Giraudo Beck

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 are renewed and strengthened.

Using details from historical potlatches, and skillfully weaving in legends about animals and spirits revered by Natives—Raven, Grizzly Bear, Salmon, Frog—Mary Beck creates a compelling account of the potlatch ceremony and its place in a community's celebration of life, death, and continuity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780882408200
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	03/01/2013
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Mary Giraudo Beck has lived Ketchikan, Alaska, since 1951, when she married a third-generation Alaskan. Besides rearing a family, she taught literature and writing courses for thirty years at Ketchikan Community College, a branch of the University of Alaska. Mary has an abiding interest in the Native culture of Southeast Alaska and a commitment to recording its oral literature. Previous works include two books, Heroes and Heroines in Tlingit-Haida Legend and Shamans and Kushtakas: North Coast Tales of the Supernatural, essays on Native mythology, and articles on travel by small boat to towns and Native communities in Southeast Alaska.

Read an Excerpt

After the four days of feasting and entertainment, the time came for the serious memorial potlatch celebration at the house built for this ceremony, when host groups mourned the deceased chief and all their dead.

The nakani ushered guests and hosts to their assigned seats, making every effort to avoid conflict among guests, treating all with equal solemnity. The nakani sat both chiefs side by side. First came the Frog clan chief Qoxkan of Tina Hit with regal stride and solemn bearing, his head high and eyes straight ahead. With equal courtesy and decorum the nakani escorted Dog Salmon chief, Tanaxh of Til Hit, to his place next to the Frog clan chief. Then members of these houses were led to the seats that their rank required.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 4

INTRODUCTION 5

Raven Survives 12

CREMATION AND SMOKING FEAST 13

Raven Creates the Tides 22

PREPARATIONS 23

Raven and the Flood 34

THE INVITATION 35

Raven s Creations 44

HOUSE BUILDING 45

In the Whales Belly 54

WELCOME 55

Raven Sends Fish to the Streams 62

THE POTLATCH 63

Raven in a Fog 76

GIFTS AND PARTIES 77

Raven Loses His Beak 96

PRESTIGE POTLATCH 97

Raven and the Magic Seal Catcher 108

PEACE CEREMONY 109

Further Reading 126

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Beck presents a compelling account of the potlatch ceremony and its place in one community’s celebrations of life . . . she weaves in legends and gives a good picture of the Tlingits beliefs and a view of how their society worked and survived.”

—Debbie Carter, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

“Mary Giraudo Beck’s Potlatch is a rich anthropological history of the ceremonies of giving celebrated by the native peoples of Alaska, Canada, Washington, and Oregon. Using the tradition of storytelling, and help from Raven, her books brings to life these gatherings.”
—Elliott Bay Booknotes
 

“Mary Beck, in this fine little book, serves up a short course in what [potlatches] were all about and includes nine of the best raven stories. Marvin Oliver’s drawings with the raven stories are exquisite.”

—Daily Sitka Sentinel, Sitka, Alaska

“In Potlatch, Beck used details from historical potlatches to paint a vivid and moving portrait of this colorful and dramatic ceremony.”
—Capital City Weekly
 
“Mary Giraudo Beck . . . chooses her stories carefully and retells them with grace and clarity. Her efforts are complemented by the fine illustrations of Marvin Oliver and the appealing design and production provided by the publisher.”
—Anchorage Daily News
 

Editorial Reviews

Beck presents a compelling account of the potlatch ceremony and its place in one community’s celebrations of life . . . she weaves in legends and gives a good picture of the Tlingits beliefs and a view of how their society worked and survived.”

—Debbie Carter, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

“Mary Giraudo Beck’s Potlatch is a rich anthropological history of the ceremonies of giving celebrated by the native peoples of Alaska, Canada, Washington, and Oregon. Using the tradition of storytelling, and help from Raven, her books brings to life these gatherings.”
—Elliott Bay Booknotes
 

From the Publisher