Monday, September 22, 2008
Ch. 5 MAKING A LIVING: A Brief History of the Ban on the Potlatch
POTLATCH Pt. 1 1:27"
INFO FROM YOUTUBE: This video shows scenes of Kwakiutl potlatch.One of the first acts in the first 72 hours of the Bush Administration was to strip the Duwamish Tribe of Federal Recognition.It was from them that I learned about potlatch.Without them the City of Seattle would not exist;
On 13 September 2007, the UN passed its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
While the term "indigenous" is not defined, its 46 articles affirm the right to self-determination including the pursuits of economic, social and cultural development (Article 3). Other rights include: * Maintaining distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions while participating in those of the state (Article 5), * Not being forcibly assimilated (Article 8, * Revitalizing and developing their language and educate in their language (Articles 13-14), * Redress for past injustices (Article 28), * Access across international borders (Article 36), and * Financial and technical assistance from the state to achieve these rights (Article 39)
With Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States voting against, and 11 countries abstaining, the Declaration passed with 144 countries in favor. Licence: CreativeCommons NonCommercial
Potlatch Pt. 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpXNS-ZnKoQ (2:38")
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26 comments:
After seeing the YouTube video I was able to see how indigenous people celebrated the Potlatch. Some of them would dress like animals as they danced and celebrated. I believe that the United States government banned the Potlatch because they did not fully understand the culture. The Potlatch was helpful to tribes because rich tribes gave away food and other to supplies to poorer tribes and in return they gained prestige. This is helpful because if the rich tribe has a bad harvest system than they can go and receive supplies and food in the next Potlatch instead of giving it away. The government should have looked into the celebration a little bit more before banning it.
I see the idea of potlatch as very unique and different from others. I think the government's ban things they do not understand or appreciate. This was a way for one tribe to gain prestige by giving away food and goods to another tribe. Everything was in good will and it was a mutual exchange, it should be allowed.
I think its a wonderful tradition for wealthy people to share with people in need. I don't understand why governments would want to band something so generous. I don't see how its any different then wealthy philanthropists giving and raising money for charities, orphanages, homeless shelers and so on; which ironically takes place in the very contries that were trying to band the act. Everyone deserves to uphold their traditions and culture even in other societes, especially the free world. How can The United States, Canada, and all these other countries be considered the "Free World" when they don't want to allow people, who were there before them, to practice their freedom of culture. Poltatchs should be encouraged not discouraged, and most certainly not banned. Whether or not it is worth the prestige one receives for doing this generous act is not their decision to make. People should be entitled to do whatever they want with their belongings, especially something that benefits other people.
This YouTube video gave me an idea of what other cultures are like. Potlach is unique and different from many other cultures I have seen and experienced. It wasn't fair that the U.S. banned it was unfair, just because it was different from other cultures. I'm glad that they decided to unban it because it would suck if such a unique and wonderful culture just stopped.
Before I read the chapter, I had the feeling that it would be boring according to the title. But, while I was reading it, I found it really exciting. It was interesting to know how people combine food production and development of economy. We were all foragers at the beginning. Just that some stayed in reserve and didn’t want to make changes. People tend to regard other behaviors as strange or bizarre.
About the different principles such as generalized, balanced or negative reciprocity, I think that they determine our actions of everyday and we don’t even know or realize it. For instance, my culture can be assimilated to generalized reciprocity. We really care about each other problems. When somebody died, we collect money for the family, cook every day for friends, and totally assist them for the funeral rite. Nothing is expecting in return, it is just so natural to help someone from your ‘band’.
Potlatch has a particular way of using their wealth. Although, their first motivation is to get prestige, offering the subsistence surpluses to the needy is a good action. In addition, they don’t practice potlatching since they haven’t had a good year .it could be considerate as a wasteful activity but as an anthropologist we should try to understand people’s cultures and not judge it.
Potlatching is a unique way in which Tribes or bands exchange gifts for prestige amongst other tribes.
I found the video very interesting because it shows us different ways in which people become well known or how they gain respected. At first when I saw the word Potlatching, I thought that it was two separate words and that it was a style in which people made Pot’s. Learning from the video I can’t understand why a government would ban something like this. It’s just unfair that an important aspect of a culture was being banned in a country that is supposed to symbolize freedom of rights and religion. I find no reason why a government should ban something like this. It’s a great tradition in which bands or tribes help others. Potlatching is kind of like a government helping out another government in trouble. This was all done in a sense of giving and prestige, it cost the government nothing and it did nothing to harm the government. So I think the government should of thought this over before banning such a harmful ritual.
For specific details about the ban (don't take my word for it), there is some of the actual language of the legislation included on Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch#Potlatch_ban
The idea of potlatch is very interesting and unique. After watching the video, I learned something about a whole different culture.Potlatch was a way for one tribe to gain prestige by donating food and goods to another tribe.This whole idea of sharing with people in need is just wonderful.Its a disappointment to have this tradition banned.The government didn't see the whole idea behind it before making such a regulation.Its just wrong forbidding one from cultural practice, specially from something thats benefitted by all!!
Eileen Burton
ANT 1001 XZ24C
Before reading the chapter on making a living and watching the two videos, I had no idea of what potlach was. I think it was wrong of the government to ban potlach because as Americans we believe that we live in a land of freedom; freedom of speech,religion,the press, assembly, and peition. Not only that but the UN passed its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous people are more than citizens, they were here before English settlers. I see no reason for potlach to be banned, it causes no harm to society. If anything potlaches are celebrated for the good of the people. It was a way for rich tribes to help less fortunate tribes, in giving them food, clothing, money and other needs.
I think the world would be a much better place if the rich shared their wealth with the poor or the less fortunate. As the saying goes "the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer". It doesn't hace to be thi way because not everyone can come up with samrt ideas to invent machinery,equipment and the like. There are always going to be someone who is less fortunate. Therefore i think sometimes it would be a good thing to see someone do a good deed. Not to be recognised as being a cleebrity but just from having a good heart. Even in the video ew saw how much satisfaction one can get from just giving just a small amount. It was interesting to see how people from different cultures chave such pleasuere in giving.
Kayla
4:10
This is my first time to know the word “potlatch”. I don’t really understand when I am reading the book. There fore, I look up the word’s definition in Chinese. It means the giving out to the people who is poor. For me, it’s a normal thing. In Chinese culture, we also do the similar thing. In the Chinese New Year, the people who had married will give out money (the red bag) to the people who are unmarried. It’s similar with potlatch. To give out money in Chinese culture means to wish people to get good luck. It’s a good thing to giving out than receiving sometimes. I think the potlatch has the same meaning after I watched the video. The rich people give out the things the poor people need is a thing that helping each other. I like this kind of culture. People can learn from this culture that we should help the other people when we have ability.
I agree with Edwin that it’s so wired that the government ban something so good. At the time when people could benefit from this kind of culture, people also learn that they could do the same thing when they have money. It’s the behavior that helps everybody—the sharing of wealth. Sometimes, people are just to busy to notice the people who need help all over the world.
i remember once i visited my country and like i was actually in the rainforest hunting. i remember running into a tribe that was going to get some honey i believe from the trees. i remember when we ran into them there was a leader of that tribe. he was the one ordering his people what to do. i think he gets his respect because hes the one that leads the group and they go to get the food for the group. i think its something like a potlatch because he has prestige and respect with the more things he does and the more he gives....well i dont know what really happened... funny thing was...this was all a dream.. =] but hey, potlatch is still potlatch, no?
Potlaching was a big tradition for Native Americans and I think Canadian government banned it because they were afraid it would spread their traditions. I also think they wanted the Native Americans to adopt more to western way but they didn’t and even continued to proceed with potchacing not worrying about any penalty which could face them. This shows how strong their culture is and this is probably the reason the tradition still goes on today. I’m really happy to see this because every time you see different tradition you realize something new. This one showed how simply they lived and they didn’t need ipods laptops.
I don't see nothing criminal or unethical in potlatching. If people want to share their wealth with others, it should be stimulated rather than banned. Throughout the history there have not been any society where all members were equal economically. There have been always rich and poor people. Sometimes, governments took property out from rich people, but as a rule none of these governments survived or succeed.
I think that potlatching is honest and humanistic business.
I think the way that potlatching was described in the book was very different from the way it was portrayed in the youtube video. The book almost described it as being a celebration based solely on prestige and was portrayed as almost a selfish deed. The youtube video however, showed how it was still part of their culture nonetheless. I'm sure as Americans, there are many aspects of our culture that seems superficial. Potlatching, as seen in the video, still kept its traditions, following various rituals that completed the celebration. I'm still unsure why it was banned, since I don't see how any harm can come from this. As Edwin said earlier, it's wonderful to see wealthy people finally share with those in need. Perhaps the US was jealous that they didn't have the idea first. =)
Potlatching is a great way to support each other. Churches often hold charity foundations where the people can donate clothing, toys, and canned food to those who are less fortunate. When ever we contribute to these events, it can be seen through potlatching. In the book Conformity and Conflict(chapter 16), the Guarani indians often fall into depression. When the Indians couldn't support their members, they would begin to kill themselves one by one. Potlatching is great but if one day a prestiged member has no more to offer, he might fall into the same depression. The government may not understand the potlatchers point of view, but what about the governments view? They can have points such as, the diseases they may share.
I believe that the potlatches do expect something in return. They do not do it for others but for themselves. It is not a generalized principle.
The potlatch is a wonderful tradition that should not be banned. I don't understand why the government would want to ban people from helping each other? Is it not a good thing when we share rather than be greedy and let those in need die because that year they didn't do well? It was nice how they helped each other in such ways. People did get prestige out of it and maybe people held potlatches for their own selfish reasons but their selfish reason helped others. But I wouldn't even say it was selfish, because to give things to people who really need it is not a selfish deed. I don't think that the government should have gotten involved at all in this cultures tradition.
After viewing the video on the potlatch, it reminded me a lot of the holiday Eid, in the Islamic culture. The Eid when we sacrifice the cow. The reason it reminded me so much of that holiday was because when I went to Bangladesh like 6 or 7 years ago, I remember I was there when that holiday took place, and I witnessed a scarification of a cow and a goat. After they killed the cow, since my family was the head of the entire village we invited all the village people, the rich and the poor to come share the food with us and it is also delivered to other villages, after it was cooked. I know it isn’t the same as a potlatch but that holiday reminds me somewhat of a potlatch and it was so interesting to read about it and view a real potlatch. Since we are not in Bangladesh now, my dad sends money to our village so they can buy a cow.
4:10
I believe that comparing the idea of potlatch from what they discussed in the book and the making of the video is on two different contexts. The video is actually more helpful because it gives you a good idea of exactly what they did and how they did it. If potlatching were a choice in our society today then it would be a grace. There are so many rich people in this world today, some which give to charity and some that don’t. I believe that is the reason for so many poor people living in our country today. Money being wasted on accessories and for showmanship by every rich person in our society. In my society, no one talks about just giving money away because people cannot be trusted with what they are going to do with. In a society in which they video showed, potlatching is perfect but today people use money on drugs and drinks. When I am on the train every morning I see people come in and ask for change but not all these people are looking to do good with it. You can never tell because even the people who look messed up can be looking to just get a fix. That is why I never give anything because I have learned not to trust anybody whether you actually need it or not because only you can tell if you really need the help. I would love to give back and I am sure that all the people who have the money today are wiling to do the same but in our society the idea of potlatch is crossed with the idea of trust.
When I was a child, probably like five years old, I remember my mom packing clothes and toys to give out to the poor people back at her country, the Dominican Republic. I recall being so mad at the fact that she was giving away one of my favorite dresses, not knowing it was a good deed she was doing. This kind of reminds me of when the Native Americans celebrated Potlatch.
Potlatch, I believe is a great thing. In my opinion, it shouldn't be banned from society because it helps people rather than hurt them. Potlatch is giving to the poor, correct? Which is considered a "crime" we could say. Shouldn't donating be considered a crime as well? To me donating and potlatch is the same. Instead of government officials banning such a great idea like potlatch, they should occupy themselves in the crimes that are going on in our everyday lives such as: killings, violence, drugs, and many more things that are actually hurting our citizens, rather than protecting and helping them, something that potlatch does.
I didn’t know what Potlatch is before reading this chapter. Potlatch is unique culture. I think this culture’s objective was redistribution. People got resection by giving gift to other people or tribe is this fete and other poor people were happy to get gift from rich people. I don’t understand way U.S government ban this traditional event. Potlatch is a culture to combine every social stratum naturally. By sharing food and gift they can socialize with neighbors
When I was reading about the potlatch in Kottak I was very surprised I never knew that people use to do such things as this. I think it’s a wonderful thing that the Native Americans use to give to the less fortunate and it was a great way to feel powerful and to gain prestige. I just wonder how would the world be today if potlatch still existed? If things like did exist maybe poverty would not exist, people would not lose their homes, etc. This concept of potlatch is very weird to me because it is so hard to imagine people giving away money and food for nothing in return but prestige. It sounds like a perfect world the rich help the poor. Like why would a government take something this good away? I really do not understand why the Canadian government would do this. I agree with Yaroslav maybe the Canadians wanted to the Native Americans to adopt their Western Culture and the only way for them to have control over them was by banning this ritual. It’s ashamed that the Canadians got their way.
Truthfully, I didn’t know what potlatch was before I watched the videos. Now that I’ve been “educated,” I can’t understand the Canadian government’s ban on it. It seems like the government was trying to take away the peoples’ identity and culture by making them conform to something that is approved by them. They should spend less time banning it and more time trying to follow in the Native Americans’ footsteps.
Potlatch is an example of goodwill. If people are willing and able to relieve some of the suffering of the poor, they should be allowed to do so. Something so beneficiary sends a great example for others to follow. It’s good moral practice. Potlatching doesn’t harm people and doesn’t go against other cultures. There is no logical reason as to why it’s being banned.
There is always an upper, middle and lower class. Sometimes the government gets involved and tries to bring change. Sometime there are charities and donations from upper class people who want to help. Potlatching is just another way to go about doing this. It’s more honest than government or charity involvement, because everything is going directly to the people who need the help.
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