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The traditional potlatch among Athabaskan peoples was a gathering that combined aspects of competition, peace keeping and a show of wealth.〔Laurence A. Goldin, ''The Land is Ours'', 1996, Auroroa Films〕 During a potlatch, members of the society with a surplus of food and supplies provide these for all members of a clan. In situations with other clans this sharing of resources is either a competitive showing or one of creating loyalties and sometimes even both simultaneously. Traditionally the village was centered on the chiefs' house and this is where potlatches were held. ==History== The traditional Athabaskan potlatch had, "social, religious and economic significance."〔William Simeone, ''A History of Alaskan Athapaskans'', 1982, Alaska Historical Commission〕 The traditional potlatch was a gathering that combined aspects of competition, peace keeping and a show of wealth.〔 During a potlatch, members of the society with a surplus of food and supplies provide these for all members of a clan, and in situations with other clans this sharing of resources is either a competitive showing or one of creating loyalties and sometimes even both simultaneously. Traditionally the village was centered on the chiefs' house and this is where potlatches were held. This was because the chief had the biggest cache where the food was stored.〔A.E. Stephan, ''The First Athabascans of Alaska:Strawberries'', 1996, Dorrance Publishing, ISBN 0-8059-3883-4〕 There were many different reasons to hold a potlatch in Athabaskan culture. If there was a birth of a child, if there was a surplus of food or if there was a death in the clan. The most elaborate of Athabaskan potlatches was the mortuary or funeral potlatch.〔 The funeral potlatch "marks the separation of the deceased from and is the last public expression of grief." 〔William Simeone,''Rifles, Blankets, and Beads'', 1995, University of Oklahoma Press, ISBN 0-8061-2713-9〕 There were slight variations in the funeral and mortuary potlatches depending on the status or role of the member of the clan that had passed. There would be different songs and dances performed for a warrior, than for an elder. Because of the tight knit manner of a group or clan, usually due to extended family ties,〔 the death of an elder, in particular, had a very large effect on the tribe. After the death of the elder the body would first be dressed by the women of the clan and the corpse prepared, while the mobilizing and putting together of the funeral would be taken care of by the closest male relative of the deceased, (Simeone, Identity 183). The preparation would differ but the proceedings of the funeral itself would be generally very alike. The potlatch would generally consist of, "the feast, dancing & singing, oratory, and the distribution of gifts," (Simeone, Identity 210). The feast would be provided by a wealthier member of the group to communicate, "Sentiment, affection, familiarity and goodwill."〔 Dancing and singing would be a reciprocation of the guests to the hosts for the generosity of sharing food. Stories would be told in the same manner, and for entertainment. The act of giving out gifts was possibly the most dynamic aspect of the traditional Athabaskan potlatch. It would be a generous act of sharing one's wealth with the rest of the tribe, but simultaneously be a show of abundance and superiority of the host.〔 Modern potlatches still contain many of the traditional aspects of sharing food, giving gifts, singing, dancing and telling stories but now the purpose has altered. Most modern potlatches can be held for similar reasons, such as a birth or a death, but now it is no longer so much a show of wealth, but a celebration to keep the tradition alive. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The potlatch among Athabaskan peoples」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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