the Yup'ik Culture

The Yup'ik culture is rich in tradition and ritual. Having come to Alaska some ten thousand years ago, the Yukon delta (an area the size of Oregon) is now home to 20,000 Yup'ik Eskimos. These rivers are rich with salmon runs that sustain the Yup'ik populations in the area. This abundance of seafood supported the development and spread of the culture. Some scholars have called this coastline area the "cradle of Eskimo civilization".

Traditionally the Yup'iks were semi-nomadic with family groups moving from the main villages to fish camps during the summer. Here they would catch and dry salmon, gather berries and other foods for the long winter ahead. These permanent communities were large groups of up to 300 people. Men lived together in a communal house (qasgiq) and women and children lived in groups in samaller sod houses (enet). During the winter months, the qasgiq was the center of the community where the traditional ceremonies were held filled with dance, masks and elaborate costumes.

These Yup'ik masks are, and have been since ancient times, used as a form of prayer, storytelling and entertainment. One of their purposes was to request an abundant return of the animals and to honor the spirit of the animals who gave themselves to feed the people. These customs have been passed down over generations.

Ceremonially, the Eskimos request an abundant return of the animals and honor the spirit of the animals who gave themselves to feed the people.

The central Yup'ik Eskimos call themselves yup'iit which means "real people". The Yup'ik language is still spoken by some, although children learn English in school. School children now have language classes in Yup'ik which help to continue the rich traditions.

Today modern houses with electricity have replaced the qasgiq and enet. Most villages have schools, churches and general stores, however, dancing and other ceremonies remain living links to the past.