Lake Person/Mermaid-Alutiiq Word of the Week-January 21
Nanwam suugii–Lake Person / Mermaid Suuget ilait niu’uqurtaarait Nanwam suugi ell’uni.–Some people always talk about there being a ‘lake person.’…
Nanwam suugii–Lake Person / Mermaid Suuget ilait niu’uqurtaarait Nanwam suugi ell’uni.–Some people always talk about there being a ‘lake person.’…
Cuknaq–Hole Cuknangq’rtuq ulugken.–Your pants got a hole. The tools of classical Alutiiq society were often complex, featuring many parts. A…
Tamuuliciqukut uksurpailan.–We will make dry fish before the winter. Winter in the Kodiak Archipelago quickly follows summer. As the days…
Laampaq–Lamp Laam’paaq kuarsgu.–Light the lamp. From Kodiak to Greenland, Native people used stone oil lamps to heat and light their…
Tuugawik–Oven PiRuq tuugawigmek ansgu.–Take the perok out of the oven. For many thousands of years, people around the world have…
Pilinguar–Adopt Wiiwaq pilinguaq–My younger sibling is adopted. The Alutiiq word pilinguar translates literally as, “to make one’s own.” Alutiiq speakers…
Engluq (N), ungluq (S)–House / Cabin Nutaamek engluliyut.–They are building a new house. When Alutiiq people travel outside Alaska or…
KRaasirluni–Paint; Color KRaasiyaqa maaskaaqa.–I am painting my mask. Painted designs are the final artistic touch on many Alutiiq objects. Artisans…
Siilaq–Awl Siilaq ipegtuq.–The awl is sharp. An awl is a sharp, pointed tool used to punch holes in leather. In…
Tugluq–Fermented oil, berry pulp & vegetables Tugulitaarllriit puckami piturluku nangluku–They always used to make tugluq in barrels and eat it…