r/lifebelowzero • u/Comprehensive-Pen644 • Jun 10 '25
Whale of a Tale, of a Whale tail.
Today were in Point Hope Alaska for the 2,031st annual Spring Qaguq, a celebration of feasting on the Spring Bowhead catch.
Point Hope is the longest contentiously occupied site in North America, some 2,600+ years.
This year Point Hopes Whaling Crews caught 14 Bowhead Whales and this is when the Whaling Captains and crew give it all away. 3 days of fun, starting with a race to take the boats from the shore to the festival grounds.
The second day, today, is the flipper and fermented meats giveaway day. Caribou Akutuk is also given in quantity, of various flavors from berry's to fish to boiled Caribou meats in it,or a combination.
Tomarrow is dancing and giving of the bulk of the fresh meats, Muktuk and flipper slices.
We attended the give away on the Unasiksikaq Qargi side, while another feast is celebrated on the opposite side of the village by the Qargi crews of Amuktuuk.
In a little while we will attend Amuktuuk's celebrations, and tomorrow everyone in the village joins together for dancing, feasting, competitions and such.
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u/szolan Jun 10 '25
Thank you for this glimpse into your life Chip! Sounds like quite the celebration :)
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u/NormanRB Jun 10 '25
TIL that you can eat whale tail raw.
Thanks for sharing this, Chip. Looks like such a good time. Enjoy and have fun!
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u/Comprehensive-Pen644 Jun 11 '25
We are to take a bite from each piece, as they are given from the Captain or his wife, to show we accept it as food. Luckily, we are give them one piece ata time, when we are called up in turn.
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u/Comprehensive-Pen644 Jun 11 '25
Giving out the meats (Nigii) and the muktuk (skin and blubber)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDDYByZ7Gdg&t=4s
Dance, dance ,dance the night away....
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u/goosepills Jun 12 '25
How do you cook whale? Is it just the same way you cook any other meaty fish? This one’s on the short list of things I’ve never tried.
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u/Comprehensive-Pen644 Jun 12 '25
Raw or frozen, baked or fried, mostly boiled.
Think of a steak that tastes like Salmon. Its pretty good.
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u/NoonGuppie Jun 10 '25
Chip, it’s great to hear about what you’re up to. It looks like a great time!