Geography location and climateThe Yupik live in western, southwestern, and south central Alaska. The climate there is extremely cold and dry. Throughout the whole year, it has 6 months of darkness and 6 months of sunlight because it is located at the far north of the earth where it can only get a little sunlight.
Lifestyle/Family relationships
Men was in charge of singing, dancing, and storytelling. They would travel in family groups following food sources throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. Aside from ceremonies and festivals, it was also where the men taught the young boys survival and hunting skills, as well as other life lessons. The young boys were also taught how to make tools and kayaks during the winter months. The ceremonies involve a shaman.
Women taught the young girls how to tan hides and sew, cook and weave. Boys would live with their mothers until they were about five years old, then they would live in the qasgiq. Each winter, from anywhere between three to six weeks, the young boys and young girls would switch, with the men teaching the girls survival and hunting skills and toolmaking, and the women teaching the boys how to sew and cook.
They move around very often in large extended families where the men are in charge to hunt and women are in charge to make clothes.
Men was in charge of singing, dancing, and storytelling. They would travel in family groups following food sources throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. Aside from ceremonies and festivals, it was also where the men taught the young boys survival and hunting skills, as well as other life lessons. The young boys were also taught how to make tools and kayaks during the winter months. The ceremonies involve a shaman.
Women taught the young girls how to tan hides and sew, cook and weave. Boys would live with their mothers until they were about five years old, then they would live in the qasgiq. Each winter, from anywhere between three to six weeks, the young boys and young girls would switch, with the men teaching the girls survival and hunting skills and toolmaking, and the women teaching the boys how to sew and cook.
They move around very often in large extended families where the men are in charge to hunt and women are in charge to make clothes.
Houses
Many of today’s villages were ancient sites that were used as seasonal camps and villages for subsistence resources. Historically the Yup’ik and Cup’ik people were very mobile, traveling with the migration of game, fish and plants. The ancient settlements and seasonal camps contained small populations, with numerous settlements throughout the region consisting of extended families or small groups of families.They first made their houses out of sod, wooden beams, and stones. Today they make their houses like the rest of Americans.
Many of today’s villages were ancient sites that were used as seasonal camps and villages for subsistence resources. Historically the Yup’ik and Cup’ik people were very mobile, traveling with the migration of game, fish and plants. The ancient settlements and seasonal camps contained small populations, with numerous settlements throughout the region consisting of extended families or small groups of families.They first made their houses out of sod, wooden beams, and stones. Today they make their houses like the rest of Americans.
Transportation
They lived mostly in marshlands that were crossed by many waterways, which the Yup'ik used for travel and transportation. So an important thing in their culture is a kayak.
They lived mostly in marshlands that were crossed by many waterways, which the Yup'ik used for travel and transportation. So an important thing in their culture is a kayak.
Food
Traditionally, families spent the spring and summer at fish camp, then joined with others at village sites for the winter. Many families still harvest traditional resources like Pacific salmon and seal.
Traditionally, families spent the spring and summer at fish camp, then joined with others at village sites for the winter. Many families still harvest traditional resources like Pacific salmon and seal.
Technology/Tools
Women’s important household items included the versatile, fan-shaped, slate knife (uluaq), stone seal-oil lamp and skin sewing implements made from stone, bone and walrus ivory. Men’s tools were associated with hunting and were elaborately decorated with appropriate spiritual symbols to aid in hunting success. These items included spears, harpoons, snow goggles, ice cane, and bow and arrows for hunting and war.
Women’s important household items included the versatile, fan-shaped, slate knife (uluaq), stone seal-oil lamp and skin sewing implements made from stone, bone and walrus ivory. Men’s tools were associated with hunting and were elaborately decorated with appropriate spiritual symbols to aid in hunting success. These items included spears, harpoons, snow goggles, ice cane, and bow and arrows for hunting and war.