Today the Akiuk staff went to a feast at one of our Yup'it teacher's home. The feast was held in honor of her mother's death, which was five years ago. Many, many villagers came. We all walked quietly into her home and sat on the floor. It was very crowded, so we were about 3 to 4 people deep against the walls. This is very traditional in a Yup'it home. If you were going to have dinner with your family, the center of the room is where the food is set. You would get your food and go back, sit on the floor and lean against the wall to eat.
However, today was so crowded that this couldn't be done. I'd say we had almost 60-80 people in her home. So, instead, the food was brought to us. We started with dried salmon. This was very fresh. The salmon was cut in strips and lightly brined. It had been oiled, salted, dried and then slightly smoked. It was really good. While we were eating, the female ancestors of the deceased handed out gifts. I came home with lots of goodies: socks, a bowl, a small rubbermaid container, and a variety of candy. There was quite a variety of gifts that were distributed. A lot of thought had gone into the presents. The older women got handkerchiefs that they could wear as scarfs, young women got earrings or necklaces, children got toys. The women kept bringing out more and more bags of gifts. Everyone received many, many gifts. It was fascinating to watch.
Next we were served a bowl of chicken and rice soup. It was delicious and extremely hot (temp, not spice). And finally, we w
ere served the infamous Eskimo ice cream. I've attached a photo of this for you to see. There were two large scoops. One was salmonberry and the other was another type of berry. The salmonberry was excellent. I ate it all. The other was good, but I had to bring that one home.
I don't really have the recipe for the ice cream, but I do know it is made by whipping Crisco and then adding sugar and berries. I don't know the porportions. You could just google the recipe. I'm certain you will find it!
As the men finished dinner, they adjourned to the kitchen table where they were served dessert - bread with butter and raspberry jelly - and coffee. It took more than 30 minutes for all the men to have a chair at the table. You need to wait your turn for a chair. When the men are done, then the women slowly take a chair at the table. You stay only a few minutes at the table and say your goodbyes. I couldn't eat anything else, so I took my slice of bread home. You are expected to take all the food prepared, and if you can't eat it all, you simply take it home for later.
However, today was so crowded that this couldn't be done. I'd say we had almost 60-80 people in her home. So, instead, the food was brought to us. We started with dried salmon. This was very fresh. The salmon was cut in strips and lightly brined. It had been oiled, salted, dried and then slightly smoked. It was really good. While we were eating, the female ancestors of the deceased handed out gifts. I came home with lots of goodies: socks, a bowl, a small rubbermaid container, and a variety of candy. There was quite a variety of gifts that were distributed. A lot of thought had gone into the presents. The older women got handkerchiefs that they could wear as scarfs, young women got earrings or necklaces, children got toys. The women kept bringing out more and more bags of gifts. Everyone received many, many gifts. It was fascinating to watch.
Next we were served a bowl of chicken and rice soup. It was delicious and extremely hot (temp, not spice). And finally, we w
ere served the infamous Eskimo ice cream. I've attached a photo of this for you to see. There were two large scoops. One was salmonberry and the other was another type of berry. The salmonberry was excellent. I ate it all. The other was good, but I had to bring that one home.I don't really have the recipe for the ice cream, but I do know it is made by whipping Crisco and then adding sugar and berries. I don't know the porportions. You could just google the recipe. I'm certain you will find it!
As the men finished dinner, they adjourned to the kitchen table where they were served dessert - bread with butter and raspberry jelly - and coffee. It took more than 30 minutes for all the men to have a chair at the table. You need to wait your turn for a chair. When the men are done, then the women slowly take a chair at the table. You stay only a few minutes at the table and say your goodbyes. I couldn't eat anything else, so I took my slice of bread home. You are expected to take all the food prepared, and if you can't eat it all, you simply take it home for later.
After all that food, we took the school boat across the river to take a walk. Our side of the village has a boardwalk, which is perhaps only 1/2 mile long if you make it a round trip! On the other side of Kasigluk - the Agula side - there is a path along Fox Lake. It's not really a lake, but it is called that. So, we did perhaps a 1.5 mile walk and returned to our village.
I'm here at the school this evening. Actually, everyone is here working. School starts Monday. Our custodian told me his wife went shopping in Bethel today for school clothes for the kids. What an expensive journey for them! It costs $170 roundtrip to fly to Bethel. We have no roads; we can only fly. And, we have no stores. The internet is available, but the shipping costs are almost the same amount as the item you purchase!
It's quiet here this evening. I have a lot of work to do for school Monday. So, I will call it an evening. I'll write again next week.
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