"Growing Goodness": An Alaska Native Collection at Oberlin CollegeMain MenuMission Statement and Project ContributorsObject GalleryClick on the object title for more informationLife HistoryMapYup'ik Materials and SubsistenceIntroduction page for the Raw Materials and Subsistence chapterVirtual 3D Exhibit
Object 18
12020-01-21T14:50:59+00:00Alaina Helm707f7d845b33dec30c77d3f91278c0fd43eb2f4c111Here’s what Dr. Rosemary Ahtuangaruak has to say!plain2020-01-21T14:50:59+00:00Alaina Helm707f7d845b33dec30c77d3f91278c0fd43eb2f4c
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12019-12-07T20:36:19+00:00Seal Drag10Seal Fish Charmplain2020-01-21T14:53:17+00:0064.4375, -165.006381880
uqsiutaq “seal drag”
seal: 8cm x 2cm x 2.3cm, cord: 25cm Ivory, animal skin cord
Cape Nome, Alaska (Iñupiaq), c.1889 Collector: E. W. Nelson Museum ID: NEL.C1.draf.0130
This object is termed a seal drag because it was used by hunters to pull the seals that they had harvested back to their village. A hunter would create a hole near the jaw of the animal and the strap of the drag would be pulled through and looped over the end piece. Then the hunter would tie a longer rope to the drag, allowing the carcass to be pulled either manually or by sled. The end piece is made of ivory and depicts a seal, which was a popular Iñupiaq charm that was fastened to both hunting tools and clothing. It was believed that the charm would aid in the hunt, bringing seals to the hunters and bringing those who wore it luck.