ANTHROP 1AB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Arnold Van Gennep, Potlatch, Liminality
10 Dec 2017
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How different communities strengthen or cultivate, develop of identities. One way that we see universally, is thorugh reciprocity, an exchange of stuff, tangible material objects like gifts. By giving someone a gift, you strengthen the bond. The indigenous people of the north west coast, british columbia, participate in competitive feasting and gift exchange. There would an occasion, like a monumental birthday or birth of a new baby or some sort of an event that the village wants to commemorate with large groups of people. The chief would hold a potlatch, communal celebration typically well planned out, can last several days, very elaborate, months of preparation, feasting and dancing, elaborate forms of socializing. In these villages, the chief is a highly revered, respected figure, inorder to be a good chief it is expected to be generous to your people, to show generosity and one way is to give away gift. Cheifs are always competing to give away the most stuff.
