Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

A POR TR AIT OF ALASK A  25

Drumming and
drum-making, using
caribou hide
or sealskin, are
spiritually rooted
Inupiat traditions.
Here, a Kotzebue
elder beats a drum
while chanting
in the Inupiat
Dancing, as in this Inupiat performance, language.
is usually accompanied by chanting and
drumming and is used to celebrate festive
events and ceremonial rituals.
The main house pole shows Duk-toothl,
a legendary man of the Raven clan, who
wears a weasel skin hat.

Totem pole raisings are festive events for the Tlingit,
Haida, and Tsimshian peoples of Southeast Alaska.
Historically, such events were commemorated by
potlatches, or gifting feasts. Here, Tsimshian cele-
brants lift a pole into place at a gathering of three
clans in Metlakatla.

Soapstone carving is prominent
among the Inupiat and Yup’ik,
who use soft black soapstone
to create figurines of hun-
ters, dancers, and animals.
They also make scrimshaw,
intricate designs carved on
ivory or whalebone.

Each eye of the raven in this design has
been expanded to depict a com plete face.
Athabaskan beaded boots
are traditionally worn by
women for dancing on fes tive
Aleut baskets, such as occasions. The designs are
this one at the Anchorage usually intricate and
Museum of History and Art, demonstrate great skill.
are tightly woven of Aleutian
Island grasses.
Native Art and Crafts
Tlingit masks feature
human-like visages, Every Native group celebrates its cultural heritage in arts
depicting interaction and crafts that utilize locally available media. Thus, the
between humans Inupiat used walrus ivory for scrimshaw, while Aleuts
and supernatural are skilled at basket-weaving. Historically, all Native art
beings, or animals, either had a practical or ceremonial use. Today, while
that represent much of the art still serves traditional purposes, works
individ ual clans, such are also sold in shops across Alaska. They may also be
as Beaver or Wolf. purchased directly from the artists.

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