The Arctic Coast comprises an area extending
from the Aleutian Islands in the west to Eastern
Greenland. A group of people racially quite distinct
from the Indians to the South.
Seasonal migration on land in the summer to hunt
caribou, musk ox and polar bear along with fishing
and hunting of seals, whale and walrus along the
coast were the normal economic pattern of these
people. The harsh conditions being climatically
inhospitable brought about an amazing adaptation
in house types of snow blocks and skin covered
semi subterranean earth covered structures.
Communal property was a reality in shared food
and shelter, which eased the harsh conditions
in which these people live. A rich mythology concerning
the Spirit of the animals which are hunted embraces
the lives of the people. Shamans insured adequate
food, cured illness and controlled the weather.
In some areas people gathered once a year for
ceremonies of dancers impersonating the spirits.
The masks made for these occasions are the most
distinct and striking art made from this area.
Walrus Ivory, bone and stone are used instead
of wood for sculpture. The earliest Prehistoric
Eskimo show a highly developed art tradition of
carving Ivory and Stone.
The Aleut groups who inhabited the Aleutian Islands
are linguistically related to the Eskimo. A different
environment of little permanent snow allowed these
people to remain in the same area in permanent
villages throughout the winter. They shared many
customs of the people of the Northwest Coast as
well as their neighbors, the Eskimo.
The Aleut had class distinctions and slaves similar
to the groups along the Northwest coast. The highly
skilled hunters from this region wore distinctive
bent wood hats with visors, which were elaborately
decorated in paint, walrus whiskers and beads
and Ivory.
The clothing from this area is the finest in
form and function allowing these people to live
in comfort and great style showing their culture
in a remarkable way. Aleut Culture was destroyed
by the Russian Fur trade early in the 18th Century.
The men being used as workers on board Russians
Ships. |
