An Indian feast at which gifts were given and received. The word is Chinook, signifying "gift." The custom was observed in the Northwest, in Canada, and in southern Alaska. In recent years the Canadian government ha forbidden potlatch.
At the feasts a chief, to demonstrate his greatness, would give away most of his goods to others - but he would expect the others to return gifts of greater value. In demonstrating that he was the better man, a chief might break up his canoe, and destroy his blankets and other valuables. Unless his rival did the same or better, his name was considered "broken."
The chief observers of potlatch were the Tlingit, a tribe of totem pole makers.
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[ Tlingit ]