Alaska day 2: afternoon at Heritage Center

 Spent s great afternoon here (ANHC)  learning a LOT about Alaska.  The country has 20 official languages, which can be grouped into 3 categories.   Of the 20, there are only 2 that are similar.    In addition, the cultures are grouped geographically , as the climate and geographic conditions greatly impact their lives. 

Totem poles are mostly found in the southern areas where there is abundant rain - 150 inches in some areas.  As a result, the trees are very, very tall - which make wonderful totem poles.  Ms. Fisher stands next to one indoors at the community house at the ANHC.  We will see more next week in the cruise. 

They were making a 3 ring qayaq (the Alaskan spelling) in the wood carving shed that many cultures maintain .

This was an outdoor total pole, and was one of two carved from the same tree.    Totem pole: the chief, marked as a veteran host of potlatches by the rings on his hat, holds the ceremonial staff and rattle of authority. At once supporting and receiving the wisdom from his elder, the figure of the Nephew acts to transfer the Box of Wisdom through the Raven and Eagle moieties to the GrandSon and GrandDaughter at the foot of the pole.   

Below is a great example of engineering st work.  The bottom tool was a spear thrower.  The fishing was dne in the qayaqs, and whey hugging walruses, for example, they needed to be able to use a lot of force with the spear.  Very difficult to do in the qayaq and stay upright.  So they made s Spear Thrower!

Below are the Jaw Bones of the Bowhead whale, used in the northern tribes of Alaska, to help mark their communities.  As their huts were built into the ground (best way to stay warm and safe), they needed markers to locate them when they returned from the sea.  That's our tour guide standing next to them - he is from the Aluetion islands.  Very knowledgable - and did a good job at the dancing exhibition as well.