ARafkuq (N), IRafkuq (S) – Rope / Cord ARafkumek piliyuq. – She is making rope. In classical Alutiiq society rope and cord were essential parts of many harvesting tools. Boats, bows, harpoons, fishing rigs, and nets all required quantities of cord. People often choose sinew, or animal tendon, for making cord because of its strength and […]
KENEQ – FIRE KENEQ KUARNARPET. – WE CAN BUILD A FIRE. Large fires set in stone-lined hearths once warmed Alutiiq households. Alutiiq people lit these fires with wooden fire starters. These three-piece implements had a flat wooden platform (hearth) and a long shaft (spindle) that was rotated rapidly against the platform with a small bow. […]
Uluq – Tongue Ulun an’sgu! – Stick out your tongue! One difficult step in mastering the Alutiiq language is learning to use distinct sounds. The Alutiiq alphabet is phonetic, meaning each letter has its own sound. While some of these sounds are similar to those found in English, others are unique. For example, the ‘n’ […]
RUUWAQ – ARROW NUKALLPIAT RUUWARTAALLRIIT AGAYUWIM TUNUANI. – THE MEN USED TO SHOOT ARROWS BEHIND THE CHURCH. Alutiiq hunters carried a variety of arrows: powerful, accurate weapons launched with a stout wooden bow. Each arrow had a slender wooden shaft carved from spruce, cedar, or hemlock and was painted red and fletched with eagle feathers. […]