Gifts and Gift Giving
At a glance:
- Series: American Indians Ready Reference
- Categories: Social Science
- Subcategories: Native Americans, American Indians, Ceremonies, Rites, Rituals
- Curriculum: American Indian History
- Geographical Location: Canada, United States
Article abstract: Gift exchange was an essential mode of strategic interaction with other tribes and with the colonial powers
Gift giving was a central feature of exchange customs common to North American Indians. Treaties, trade, and other interactions demanded the distribution of various gifts among the parties. These presents symbolized the social bonds between the participants. Indians presented gifts to make and sustain alliances and to demonstrate continued control to the colonial powers. They used this gift giving to symbolize, sustain, and equalize human...
[The entire page is 373 words long]
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