KWAKIUTL  , a tribe of

North-American Indians of Wakashan stock . They number about 2000 . Formerly the term was used of the one tribe in the north-east of Vancouver, but now it is the collective name for a group of Wakashan peoples . The Kwakiutl Indians are remarkable for their conservatism in all matters and specially their adherence to the custom of Potlatch, which it is sometimes suggested originated with them . Tribal government is in the hands of secret societies . There are three social ranks, hereditary chiefs, middle and third estates, most of the latter being slaves or their descendants . Entry to the societies is forbidden the latter, and can only be obtained by the former after torture and fasting . The hamatsa or cannibal society is only open to those who have been members of a lower society for eight years .