Male Wives in the Pacific Northwest

Two Kwakwaka'wakw men at the turn of the 20th century

Among Pacific Northwest natives, men married parts of other men:

"If an alliance...was considered desirable...the son-in-law married...'the left foot' of his father-in-law or his 'right-arm' or some other part of his body" (Benedict 207).

Again, the critical part of this marriage was the transfer of titles and rights.

Next: Marriages and contracts

picture: postcard of two Kwakiutl (Kwakwaka'wakw) men at the turn of the 20th century.