transformation masks were used to illustrate myths in the original potlatch ceremonies.
transformation masks were used to illustrate myths in the original potlatch ceremonies.
how were transformation masks used in the original potlatch ceremonies?
to illustrate myths
Na
Na
the potlatch ban was repealed in 1951. sustaining the customs and culture of their ancestors, indigenous people now openly hold potlatches to commit to the restoring of their ancestors' ways. potlatches now occur frequently and increasingly more over the years as families reclaim their birthright. anthropologist sergei kan was invited by the tlingit nation to attend several potlatch ceremonies between 1980 and 1987 and observed several similarities and differences between traditional and contemporary potlatch ceremonies. kan notes that there was a language gap during the ceremonies between the older members of the nation and the younger members of the nation (age fifty and younger) due to the fact that most of the younger members of the nation do not speak the tlingit language. kan also notes that unlike traditional potlatches, contemporary tlingit potlatches are no longer obligatory, resulting in only about 30% of the adult tribal members opting to participate in the ceremonies that kan attended between 1980 and 1987. despite these differences, kan stated that he believed that many of the essential elements and spirit of the traditional potlatch were still present in the contemporary tlingit ceremonies.
potlatch