Slaves: In
olden times, slaves were obtained by war, purchase, and debt. If you
owned someone money, you could pay them by becoming their slave until
the debt was paid.
Slaves, however they were obtained, did not
have an easy life. Slaves were not allowed to marry. If they were
already married, the marriage was annulled. Slaves had no rights. They
were property.
A slave could be sacrificed at a potlatch.
This was done to prove that the clan was so wealthy that they could
destroy a slave or a canoe or even a house without missing it.
Debts had to be paid. Sometimes it was smarter to
lose face, so you could come back and restore your dignity another
day.
