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COLLECTOR'S
DOCUMENTATION:
"Everyday garment worn by Ugashagmjut [Ugaasarmiut, the Alutiiq people of Ugashik]"

-William Fisher

 CATALOG NO:  90469
OBJECT TYPE:  man’s ground squirrel parka

REMARKS:
Loose-fitting, as compared to the more tailored parkas of northern Alaska, generally without hoods and reaching almost to the feet, Alutiiq parkas were made from a wide assortment of furs. This man's ground squirrel parka from the Alaska Peninsula includes ermine, sea otter, mink and caribou trimming. The diverse array of furs may have held symbolic as well as aesthetic meaning, investing the wearer with the essential qualities of the animals represented.

Red-painted skin fringe, strips of sea otter fur, and paired cloth-and-ermine tassels add to the beauty and movement of this parka. The cloth-and-ermine tassels provide a nice example of how Alutiiq seamstresses incorporated new materials to execute traditional designs. Earlier versions utilized dyed gut or skin rather than trade cloth. Characteristic of Alutiiq clothing, this kind of tassel was illustrated as early as 1827 and is seen on the beautiful cormorant parkas worn by the Kodiak Alutiit in the 1840’s. Other design features of the parka reflect the influences of Alaska Native Yup’ik and European traditions.

The finest parkas were worn by both men and women during the winter ceremonies and  presented by the host as gifts to his honored guests.

-Dee Hunt

CATALOG NUMBER:

90469

OBJECT TYPE:

man’s ground squirrel parka

ACCESSION NO.:

14024 (1884)

YEAR COLLECTED:

1883

FIELD NUMBER:

115

GROUP NAME:

Ugaasarmiut

GROUP NAME RECORDED BY FISHER:

UGASHAGMJUT

LOCATION:

Ugaasaq (Ugashik)

LOCATION RECORDED BY FISHER:

UGASHAK, BRISTOL BAY

NATIVE LANGUAGE TERM:

qanganaq

NATIVE LANGUAGE TERM RECORDED BY FISHER:

KANGANAK

DIMENSIONS:

L=107-112 cm
    (center/side with tails attached);
W (bottom) =86 cm; W (arms) =140 cm

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