Show potlatch potlatch to 18 a custom of distributing gifts practiced by the chim ahlm ayao ayan and other tribes of the northwest coast the principal actor in the ceremony la Is some member of the tribe who has bas spent apont years yeara in accumulating treasures of all kinds which he be gives away in one ona grand display of generosa gene rosl roal t ty all the tribesmen tribesman ot of the villages toe or miles around attend the ceremony honor binds the recipients of the gifts however to such euch an extent that they become indebted to the giver to double tho the amount of the present so that the potlatch Dot latch Is instead of an extravagance a wise investment against future need |