Potlatches are gatherings that serve as markers for significant events, such as birthdays, marriages, and comings of age. They serve as a way for hosts to display their social status and wealth by showering their guests with gifts and (for the more important guests) money.
Today we celebrate different forms of potlatches- christmas, thanksgiving, Easter, Bar Mitzvah's, weddings, and anniversaries. Though gifts are not always extravagant, usually there are some form of party favors provided to the guests as thanks for attending. Feasting is almost always associated with such events, and like in the traditional potlatch, food choice is often dominated by what is in season and how plentiful the supply is. We even participate in some of the competitive aspects of potlatching- at Christmas children race to find the hidden pickle on the tree, wherein whoever finds it receives a reward that the others do not. At Easter we hunt for eggs and at birthday parties we play games such as pin the tail on the donkey.
There are many aspects of potlatches that have manifested themselves into our social gatherings- and they make for a greate party!
Hahaha I have played pin the tail on the donkey but never in my life have I heard of the hidden pickle on the tree! How is that played even? That sounds really hilarious.
ReplyDeleteBut on a more serious note, you're right, most of American holidays are celebrated with potlatch-like feasts and parties where there are games, food, and gifts.
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