There were four main groups consisting of the Kwakiutl social system.
First, there was the nobility. This group gained the position through the purest and strongest ancestry. Usually, chiefs and shamans came from this group. The nobility were very important; they were literally called "spiritual and social domains". Though ancestry was enough to gain the position, it was not enough to secure the position. The only individuals who could maintain the position were the individuals showing the correct moral behavior.
Next, there was the aristocracy. The aristocracy consisted of the families that had the most wealth and power. The position was attained through wealth distributed in the Potlatch ceremony.
The next two groups were the commoners and the slaves. Slaves were the men and women who served the groups above them.
There was also a head of a tribe, called a tribal chief. Chiefs were usually passed on through the paternal side. Also, Kwakiutl was one of very few bilineal cultures.
First, there was the nobility. This group gained the position through the purest and strongest ancestry. Usually, chiefs and shamans came from this group. The nobility were very important; they were literally called "spiritual and social domains". Though ancestry was enough to gain the position, it was not enough to secure the position. The only individuals who could maintain the position were the individuals showing the correct moral behavior.
Next, there was the aristocracy. The aristocracy consisted of the families that had the most wealth and power. The position was attained through wealth distributed in the Potlatch ceremony.
The next two groups were the commoners and the slaves. Slaves were the men and women who served the groups above them.
There was also a head of a tribe, called a tribal chief. Chiefs were usually passed on through the paternal side. Also, Kwakiutl was one of very few bilineal cultures.