How does a potlatch differ from a kachina ceromony?

Answer 1

Potlatch was a ceremonial establishment of status thru largess. It was less about fun and friendship than it was about political maneuverings between tribal clans. If you had a rival in the tribe, and you knew he was not as well off as you, you could throw a potlatch in which you give away enough material wealth that your rival would essentially be unable to match or better. That would cause him to lose status and influence in tribal affairs... OR, it would divert him from involvement in tribal affairs as he struggled to assemble a suitable counter to your potlatch. While some in modern society may throw a party to show off how well off they are, or make their friends feel obligated in some sense... the key difference is that you would never throw a party so all your friends could watch you , say, burn your brand new car, just to prove you could afford to burn your car. And neither would any of your friends respond by burning BOTH their cars, just to prove they were better off than you. Potlatches not only resulted in the exchange of valuables, but often escalated to the pure destruction of valuables in a cycle of one-ups-manship

Answer 2

The Kachina Ceremony is a Hopi Indian religious tradition.

Potlatching is a tradition found with the Salish and Chinooken peoples. A potlatch is a party where all the guests come and spend several days singing and dancing. They are given gifts by the host before they leave for home.

Answer 3

A modern potlatch is performed on a weekend so people don't miss school or work, rather than 12 days of celebration.

Answer 4

A totem pole is a wood carved pole. A potlatch is a ceremony when you give out presents to the people that came.