Question

A potlatch is a ceremony traditionally held by Native Americans of the Northwest Pacific

Coast. This ceremony was practiced in different ways by different Native peoples, including

the Haida and the Salish, and it continues to be practiced today by some of these groups.

One common feature of the potlatch is that the host always gives a gift to every guest. This

gift giving serves many functions in society. Historically, the potlatch was a social occasion,

but it also determined a person’s position in society and allowed the wealth of the

community to be shared more equally. In the past, a potlatch was a big party that lasted

several days. Guests came for the speeches, the singing, the dancing, and the feast. A

good host was expected to provide more food than the guests could possibly eat. The main

event of the potlatch, however, was the gift giving. The host presented gifts to each guest

based on social rank. This means that more important people generally received larger

gifts. People held potlatches for many different reasons. A potlatch could mark a birth,

death, or marriage. Hosting a potlatch makes a statement to the community about the

host’s wealth and social position. Sometimes a person who had been publicly embarrassed

held a potlatch to regain honor in the community. A potlatch could also be a way for rivals

to compete to see who had more wealth. Ultimately, the potlatch served two main

functions: to confirm the social position of the host and to redistribute the wealth among

people in a community. Since potlatches were usually hosted by wealthier people, they

were a way for these people to share their wealth with those less fortunate. In this way, the

potlatch was both a powerful economic and social tool—and of course, it was also a great

party.

Multiple choice questions.

1) This passage is mostly about

A. who goes to potlatch B. what a potlatch is

C. when people hold potlach D. the gifts at a potlatch​

Answer 1

Multiple choice questions.

1) This passage is mostly about

• B. what a potlatch is

Happy to help.

Answer 2

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