Humpty Hump Day

Gather around one and all it is time for stories from the Gray Water.

"EB - what's Gray Water? Is it the mystical body of water that Eskimos hold sacred where they encounter visions and insights into achieving oneness with the spirit of nature?"

"No. It was the waste water that was dumped under the houses before septic tanks were put in. Not - the poopy, golden water, just gray water. May I continue? Thank you."

Let me just get the traditional storytelling knife. . . and let's moisten this dirt so I may make cool illustrations to go along with the story . . . (haucking a loogie - spit).

So there was this great leader named 'Duke'. He led a great army of mercenaries and special operatives to combat a secret menacing society and army. . .

"EB - if it were secret how did 'Duke' know about them?"

[Glances - bites lip then continues] . . . that was focused on world annihilation.'

"EB - if they were focused on world annihilation were they aware that they no longer would inhabit the Earth as well? I mean - it doesn't make sense for a Secret Evil Society to not have some semblance of self-preservation."

[Exhales. . . ] 'Duke' often called upon his trusted assassin and covert operative 'Snake-Eyes' who was trained in the art of Ninja. . .

"EB - is this about G.I. Joe? How is this relevant to Eskimo storytelling and why did you need the traditional storytelling knife to tell this story? Why do you call yourself Eskimo when you clearly don't know anything or follow any of the traditions of the Eskimo?"

Back to Basics

My friends and followers, it has been a pleasure being amongst you. In my transition to the new blog spot, I've neglected something that until recently has been on the back burner. Yesterday's blog reminded me how dire the situation really is.

As you folks recall, PETA is trying to help out our buddies the fish. It's a travesty when animal life takes precedent over human life. You will notice on my left, your right, that I have re-introduced the Denmark population counter. This awareness cannot be forgotten.

I take full responsibility, as I came over to the new blog spot, I was enamored with the new surroundings. I decided to check out the sites, and forgot what was really important.

In regards to the Population of Denmark, some of you may raise concerns about this, but not in a positive or proactive manner. You may be thinking to yourself: Why do you post this? Are you trying to be internationally weird? This has no bearing on me, why do you bring it up???

Polar Bears. The Polar Bear is the answer, right now the U.S. Government is researching on whether or not to add the Polar Bear to the Endangered Species Act. They come to this conclusion based on several factors, one of which being the population of the Polar Bear. Currently, as of this posting the Polar Bear worldwide population is roughly 25,000. The total bear population* is 575,000, making the Polar Bear roughly 4.35% of the total bear population worldwide. Alarming yes, the Polar Bear makes up less than 5% of the total bear population*, clearly action needs to be taken.

Now I come back to the Danish. As of this posting, their population ranks at 5.5 million (rounded up). The total world population is 6.6 Billion (rounded up). The Danish make for only .083% of the total world population. My friends, this is a travesty! How can we, living in the age of the Cyberspace, be able to allow this to happen?!? Clearly I move that the population of Denmark be watched on continual basis, and placing the Danish on the Endangered Species list. Could it be due to global warming or environment changes? Is it due to the financial crisis being felt around the world? Further study needs to happen. I will do my part, by posting this beloved member of our worldwide self on my blogsite. Please help the Danish.

* Total Bear Population in regards to the "Big Three": Brown, Black and Polar Bears. Not taking into account Koala, Panda, Bear Markets, Baloo, Winnie, or other types of Bears unless they be of the "Big Three".

Picture Pages

Here you will find a slide show movie of pictures of some Eskimo's. These were taken back between 1963 and 1965. The pictures were taken and produced by the National Film Board of Canada. The music is by Pamuya, a group that has since travelled the world sharing their take on our native music. You will be able to extrapolate what you will, I will not cloud your experience with my thoughts.

Enjoy.

Culture Clashes

The Yup'ik and Cup'ik People - Who We Are

The southwest Alaska Natives are named after the two main dialects of the Yup'ik language, known as Yup'ik and Cup'ik. The estimated population, at the time of contact, was: Nunivak 500, Yukon-Kuskokwim 13,000 and Bristol Bay 3,000. The Yup’ik and Cup’ik still depend upon subsistence fishing, hunting and gathering for food. Elders tell stories of traditional ways of life, as a way to teach the younger generations survival skills and their heritage.

Traditional House Types and Settlements

Many of today’s villages were ancient sites that were used as seasonal camps and villages for subsistence resources. Historically the Yup’ik and Cup’ik people were very mobile, traveling with the migration of game, fish and plants. The ancient settlements and seasonal camps contained small populations, with numerous settlements throughout the region consisting of extended families or small groups of families.

All males in some Yup’ik/Cup’ik communities lived in a qasgiq, or men’s house/community center. Boys old enough to leave their mothers joined male relatives in the qasgiq, where they lived, worked, ate, bathed, slept and learned how to be men. Women prepared and brought food to the qasgiq. Ceremonies, singing, dancing and events usually occurred in the qasgiq, thus making it a community center.

Women and children lived in an ena, which had architectural features similar to the qasgiq, although the qasgiq was twice as large. Bearded seal or walrus intestine provided a removable “skylight” window. Like most other winter dwellings, the qasgiq and the ena shared the distinctive, partially semi-subterranean winter entrance passageway – which in the ena also provided space for cooking.

Tools and Technology

Technology was highly adapted to survival in the sub-arctic environment, and was fine-tuned through the centuries by trial and error. Technology was mostly geared toward the marine environment along the coast and more riverine habitats in the delta regions.

Women’s important household items included the versatile, fan-shaped, slate knife (uluaq), stone seal-oil lamp and skin sewing implements made from stone, bone and walrus ivory. Men’s tools were associated with hunting and were elaborately decorated with appropriate spiritual symbols to aid in hunting success. These items included a variety of spears, harpoons, snow goggles, ice cane, and bow and arrows for hunting and warfare.

Culture and Social Organization

Social culture and behavior were all geared toward survival and compatibility among family-village groups. Cultural roles and social rank were largely determined by gender and individual skills. Successful hunters, nukalpiit, usually become group leaders. Women roles included child rearing, food preparation and sewing.

Role of shaman

There were good and evil shamans that had separate roles within the village. Good shamans would heal, search out animal spirits for the hunters, ask for survival necessities such as driftwood and good weather. The bad shamans battled good shamans for power, placed curses on people, generally made life miserable for others and could even kill. It is believed that some Yup’ik/Cup'ik people still possess shamanistic powers.

Clothing

Traditionally, skins of birds, fish, and marine and land animals were used to make clothing. Hunting clothes were designed to be insulated and waterproof. Fish skin and marine mammal intestines were used for waterproof shells and boots. Grass was used to make insulating socks, and as a waterproof thread.

Trade

Coastal villages traded with the inland villages for items not locally available. Seal oil was highly desirabed by inland villages who usually bartered moose/caribou meat and furs such as mink, marten, beaver and muskrat, for seal oil and other coastal delicacies such as herring and herring eggs.

Traditions and Ceremonies

Yup'ik and Cup'ik people, organized their lives according to the animals and plants that they hunt and gather. Families came together and dispersed according to the seasons. Most settlements and camps were occupied by extended families or small groups of families. Elaborate winter ceremonies emphasized the relationship among humans, animals, and the spirit world.*taken from the ANHC website