Nalukataq: The Traditions

Nalukataq (pronounced nah-LUK-uh-tauk) is a time of celebration after a successful whaling season. The Eskimo people spend a great deal of time on the pack ice during April and May as they harvest bowhead whales. They break up into crews, usually according to family branches, with each crew having their own captain. Dragging boats behind their snowmachines, they travel many miles out to the open water. They use huge spear guns to slaughter the gigantic whales, then comes the "tug of war" as each crew joins into a line to haul the whale onto the ice. It is then cut into large sections, hauled into the village, butchered by the women, and stored in cellars. In June, after the whaling season is over, each whaling crew/family provides a feast for the entire village to take part in. My village's first Nalukataq of the year took place last Friday, with two more planned for this month. It is such a happy, festive time -- as you will see!

Nalukataqs usually take place in our village's baseball field. Frames are set in a semi-circle and blacks tarps are hung across them. Long, wooden benches are then set up for people to sit on.

Tables are set up in the center to hold the massive amount of food needed to feed the entire village.

Folks seat themselves wherever they please and visit with one another until the food is served.

The weather couldn't have been more gorgeous! The temperature was near 60 degrees, there was very little wind, and the mosquitoes weren't yet flying. =) It was a perfect day for Nalukataq. However, the sun's rays were so strong and steady that my sister and I both got a bit sunburned -- on only the left sides of our faces. (chuckle)

Iceberg 14 is the Ahmaogak family's crew. (Notice the little boy chasing the other in the foreground. =) Nalukataq is a huge undertaking for the family providing the feast. They cook all of the food during the days preceding the feast and then work together to serve it to the hundreds of people who remain seated.

Such an undertaking requires careful planning and organization!

Rolls and Eskimo doughnuts (fry bread) are served first, followed by hot, steamy soup.

Caribou soup is served at most of the feasts, but evidently this spring was a good season for hunting fowl as we ate some tasty duck soup this time. Rolls are very good dipped into the hot broth of the soup (pictured). Families bring their own bowls, utensils and anything else needed for eating.

Two hard-working girls taking a quick break.

Announcements were made occasionally. "Who didn't get soup?" Hands raise all around. "We're getting ready to serve the second round of soup." Folks hurry to finish up their first serving. "All you kids line up to get apples and oranges/cupcakes and Jello." They stampede to the front. =D Between announcements, Gospel music is played. My family really enjoys the recordings of hymns sung in Inupiak by a native choir. How the people can harmonize! Beautiful!

After the bread and soup is served, next comes cake, Whaler's Delight (a fruit-pudding dessert), and lastly the whale meat, mikiuk, mukuk (pictured) and other delicacies are served.

Children going up to get their goodies. I have many pictures from this time to share in another separate post -- or two. You will love them. =)

Beautiful parkas. They are works of art!

This is always fun. Flying candy! People throw it by the handfuls over the back of the shelter. They have a tendency to whack you on the head if you're not alert. Ha, ha!

The children go wild trying to get as many pieces as they can. Their antics are so comical. (My mom and brother are at the bottom right-hand corner, and my younger sister is in the front wearing the braid.)

I have so, so MANY more pictures to share with you all. The Lord blessed me with some very special photos of these precious people and I can't wait for you to see them. The purpose of this first entry was to familiarize you with the traditions of the whaling feast; the rest will focus more upon faces. I will try to write a new post each day this week. Keep an eye open for tomorrow's entry!