Long before whalers sailed into the Arctic in the
mid 1800's, Eskimos were hunting whale, their primary food source, while utilizing by-products from the animal for such things as tools, clothing, sleds, dog food, and bait used for hunting other animals. Nothing was wasted from their catch and the hunters ceremonially honored the death of the animal for the gifts it brought to them and their community. One whale would sustain the entire community for nearly a year. They took what they needed from the sea to survive, not to waste.
The biggest challenge was removing the whale from the water. Landing a whale required the entire village's efforts, with everyone participating in bringing the whale ashore for butchering. As the whale is butchered, it is divided into sections for individual families, after which women of the community will prepare a feast to celebrate. With the whale's bones picked clean of all meat, the bones are returned to the sea to set its spirit free.
Picture Caption: This picture was taken in 1906, Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, by Susan Bernardi, courtesy of University of Washington Libraries. Special Collections Division (Pg 26, Item 26).
