Ronald P. Rohner

This is an anthropological case study of the Gilford Island Kwakiutl community in British Columbia. This village of a fishing people have/had totem poles, big houses, and potlatches. (The ritual property transfers of the potlatch did not stop property crime and one theft is recounted that led to mass murder and dismemberment of the corpses.) Featuring several B&W images, there is also a recounting of the impressive winter ceremonial, made so pageants featuring props and primitive special show more effects.

At the time of study in the 1960s, alcoholism and alcohol-fueled aberrant behavior worsened the difficulties of subsistence living "in the subsisting oriented web".

Most unique cultural expressions were in the past:

The Kwakiutl were no longer exceptional because of their economic activities, their religious practices and belief, their social or ceremonial life ... they live in a style very similar to the White fishermen and loggers...

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