Potlatch: Then and Now
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The Bighouse and H'amatsa

The potlatch ceremony is held in a Bighouse. During the ceremony, many dances are performed. These dances belong to the family holding the potlatch.

 Families can only perform the dances that belong bighouse to them. If they want to perform other dances, they must get permission to use them from their owners.

 

The hamat'sa  was the most important dance in the potlatch.
                                            

Bighouse
 
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