*I'm just carryin'
on an old family tradition...
...I am very proud
of my daddys name…
If I'm down in a Honky-Tonk
Some ol' slicks tryin to give me corrections
I'll say leave me alone
I'm singin all night long
it's a family tradition...*
Thank you Hank Williams
Nalukatuk
It’s nothing but a lot of family traditions. Why do they gather several times during the summer? They are grateful for the gift of the whale so they share it with their entire community. This year the community harvested 9 whales and 2 were shared on June 21, 2008. They celebrate with a huge feast, serving fermented whale, raw whale, whale soup, cooked whale, pie, cupcakes, coffee and tea.
There are no lines to wait in, because the whaling crewmembers serve their community. This was a great surprise and uncommon to what I am use to at any type of festival. Plus, there was not one single exchange of money. Music, hooting, joy and the smell of whale filled the air.
After everyone eats they go home and rest for a bit. They come back to the beach site and set up the blanket toss. The blanket is a bunch of seals skins sewed together and painted. It is much like a trampoline guided up and down by the male members of the community. Those jumping may throw candy as they jump and the kids scrambled to get it!
How high can you jump? Can you touch the everlasting sun?
Truly fun for everyone!
There will be another event on June 26, 2008. I hope that I will be able to stay up late this time so that I can see the traditional Alaskan dancers, who don't even start to dance until after midnight!
Bird of the Day
What a great big bill this duck has!
Happy Day from the Top of the World.
Video of the Nalukataq Festival - By: Elizabeth Eubanks http://