Cousin — Iluwaq Amlesqanek iluwangq’rtua. – I have many cousins. The term cousin can be applied to a confusing array of relatives. In American society, a cousin is any child of an aunt or an uncle. However, cultures around the world differentiate between types of cousins, especially parallel and cross cousins. Parallel cousins are the […]
Milk — Muluk’uuq (N), Muruk’uuq (S) KuRuuwamek muluk’uungtaartutkut. – We get milk from a cow. Milk is a relatively recent addition to the Alutiiq diet, a fact illustrated by the Russian derivation of the Alutiiq words for milk. Although midwives brewed a tea from pineapple weed to stimulate the production of a new mother’s milk, […]
Kulic’aaq–Easter Bread Paas’kaami kulic’aalitaartut.–At Easter they always make Easter bread. Kulic’aaq is the Alutiiq word for the sweet bread baked, decorated, and eaten by the Orthodox faithful every Easter. Similar to Italian panettone, this rich bread contains milk, eggs, butter, sugar, nuts, fruit, and a variety or flavorings like vanilla, rum, orange zest, cardamom, and […]
Salt Fish — Sulunaq, Salt Fish Sulunaq piturnirtaartuq. – Salt fish is always tasty. For centuries, people around the world have enjoyed salted fish. The interaction of salt and fish enzymes creates a wonderful flavor, especially in cod. Salt is also an effective preservative. It limits the growth of bacteria. Fishermen working in both the […]