21A.100 Prof. howe Potlatch and Kula The ethnographic reality behind these concepts Potlatch 1. The Culture a. North West coast cultural area is mostly in Canada b. Whole series of related groups all the way up to Alaska c. Fascinating area i. Agricultural is not possible under primitive conditions ii. Rely on hunting and gathering, very abundant Salmon 2. Olachen -oily fish 3. Sea mammals: whales seals 4. Shell fish iii. Unusual that these hunter-gatherers are sedentary d. Many of the groups are famous in anthropology e. The names we use are not necessarily the names the people use fo themselve f. Most famous is the Kwakiut g. Had an unusual amount of art i. Many decorated columns that have come to be called totem poles blankets iiL. Ca iv. Painted elaborate murals on their homes Homes designed for rituals 2. Wooden A-frame houses v. People started collecting their art, but not always legitimately vi. Some would be stolen, or tribe members would sell them, even though they had no individual rights to sell the art21A.100 Prof. Howe Potlatch and Kula The ethnographic reality behind these concepts Potlatch 1. The Culture a. North West coast cultural area is mostly in Canada b. Whole series of related groups all the way up to Alaska c. Fascinating area i. Agricultural is not possible under primitive conditions ii. Rely on hunting and gathering, very abundant 1. Salmon 2. Olachen – oily fish 3. Sea mammals: whales, seals 4. Shell fish iii. Unusual that these hunter-gatherers are sedentary. d. Many of the groups are famous in anthropology. e. The names we use are not necessarily the names the people use for themselves f. Most famous is the Kwakiutl g. Had an unusual amount of art i. Many decorated columns that have come to be called totem poles ii. Woven blankets iii. Canoes iv. Painted elaborate murals on their homes 1. Homes designed for rituals 2. Wooden A-frame houses v. People started collecting their art, but not always legitimately. vi. Some would be stolen, or tribe members would sell them, even though they had no individual rights to sell the art