NATAMST 151 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Tipi, Positive Force, Goch

• School: Berkeley
• Department: Native American Studies
• Course: NATAMST 151
• Professor: Diane Pearson

Document Summary

Functions of potlatch -- essential to tlingit indians. Unification ritual between clans & clan members. For the spirit, potlatch is a rite of passage. As unification ritual -- brings the deceased members" clan, as well as geographically separated bands together -- forming social & economic links. Phenomenon allow formation -- reestablishment of relationships between members -- essential & important form of contact between clans. Funeral potlatches -- carcross/tagish tlingits -- rite of intensification. A religious ritual that takes place during a real or potential group crisis. Potlatch is held during a troubled time for the people. Brings members together formally -- deal with loss of a person. Likewise -- performances of ritual as distinct phases in the social process -- groups adjust to internal changes. Ritual symbols -- factors in social actions as a positive force in the activity. Demonstrated through elaborate ritual processes that make up the.