Potlatching and Political Organization among the Northwest Coast Indians
Author(s)
Tollefson, Kenneth D.
Abstract
The potlatch of the Northwest Coast Tlingits is more than a socioeceremonial activity because it also involves local political activities. Aggregations of clans during potlatching is primarily political. Clan goals such as installation of clan leaders, evaluation as well as verification of clan titles to resources, bestowal of clan titles and resolution of interclan conflicts can only be fulfilled through potlatching.
