The Alutiiq Word of the Week

WAMQUTAT:  Play
Wamkutartut:  They are going to play.

Education in Alutiiq communities focused on training children the
essential skills of adult life.  Young people learned by listening to
stories, assisting their elders, and imitating adult activities with
toys.  Archaeological sites in the Kodiak Archipelago have produced many
miniature items - tiny duplicates of full-sized objects.  Small-scale
oil lamps, bowls, scoops, ulus, and skin stretching boards helped little
girls learn domestic tasks, while boys learned boating, hunting, and
ceremonial responsibilities with toy kayaks, bows, harpoons, clubs, and
drums.

Children also played with toys designed simply for fun - tops, darts
games, and dolls are remembered fondly by elders and are found in
archaeological sites.   Examples of dolls include peg-like figures of
men in hunting hats designed to fit into toy kayaks, and larger dolls
with carefully carved faces and body tattoos, which may have been
dressed in skin clothing.

Alutiiq elders recall strict rules on playing with toys.  Toys were
carefully stored during the winter season to avoid bad luck.  Children
were allowed to play again in the spring, when migratory birds arrived
signaling the rebirth of the year.

The Alutiiq Word of the Week was developed by Alutiq Museum
Curator/Deputy Director Amy Steffian with assistance from Alutiiq
teacher Florence Pestrikoff.  Many thanks to Dr. Jeff Leer, who
graciously edited Alutiiq words and phrases.  The Alutiiq Word of the
Week can be heard on KMXT Public Radio and read in the Kodiak Daily
Mirror.  If you've missed an Alutiiq Word of the Week, please check out
the following site:
http://www.mcn.org/ed/ross/Referenc/Alutiiq/alutiiq.htm

--
Christine R. Marasigan, Programs Manager
Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository
215 Mission Road, Suite 101
Kodiak, Alaska 99615
voice:  (907) 486-7004 ext. 7
fax:  (907) 486-7048
email:  [log in to unmask]