When the Kwakiutl of the Pacific Northwest perform a potlatch,there may be times when the excess of gifts are actually destroyed rather than given away.This is done in order to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When excess gifts are destroyed during a potlatch, it reinforces the prestige of the chief by demonstrating his capacity to accumulate and waste resources. This behavior is seen as a display of generosity, which increases the chief's social status within the community. It is not done to avoid giving resources to those who do not need them or future enemies - these concerns are addressed through the careful selection of gift recipients at the potlatch.

When the Kwakiutl of the Pacific Northwest Perform a Potlatch,there