by
winterer
Feb 08, 2013
A copper, or Tl'akwa in our language, is a symbol of wealth. You can buy it from someone and then resell it later on at a profit. Each time it is bought and sold, it's value increases. In the old days, someone could sell their copper in order to host a larger potlatch. When a chief is slighted by a rival chief, he could cut off a portion of the copper and present it to him. The onus was then on the rival to return a piece of equal or greater value in order to save face. If he is able to, the issue is dropped. Now, if you have a VERY valuable copper, a chief is in a pretty safe position to defend his family and his people..Andy Nagedzi Everson shared Each copper has a name that often refers to the crest figure on its face. We believe that they are alive. If you threw the copper in the water, you drown the copper and your rival at the same time. This is the ultimate insult. ..Andy Nagedzi Everson shared..Each copper has a T-shaped ridge that is not cut. When a copper is cut several time