Wood frame with rawhide cover. The prow and sides are decorated with red worsted. Red, blue and white cotton threads are plaited together and sewn to prow. Seal whiskers also used. 11 figures in boat holding paddles or weapons, wearing sealskin parkas and wood hats variously decorated with red and blue paint in abstract designs. 9 paddles, two of which are broken.
5.7 Objects made for sale, souvenirs, models, and reproductions
Accession date:
1945
Context of use:
Model. In real life, Umiaks were used for hunting whales and large sea mammals, as they were particularly noted for their carrying capacity, being able to carry up to as much as four tons, and as seen in this model, over 10 people living up to the name "family boat." Women are often quite involved in the navigation and occasionally pilot depending on the region (typically more common in Quebec), however this is mostly for travel as women are usually not on board for whaling or sea mammal hunting. They also stitch the skin over the frame. Sometimes umiaks are dubbed “family boats,” as they were primarily used for transportation, though they previously were used in war and of course hunting. Perhaps the person in the far back is a woman navigating.
Department:
Native US and Canada (except California)
Dimensions:
length 52.5 centimeters
Comment:
References: cf. Collins, H.B. for hats fig. 68, p. 54 and cf. similar model in collection 2-4570. Also known as a baidara, woman's boat, or family boat. Sturtevant, William C. Handbook of North American Indians. Edited by Warren L. D’Azevedo, David Damas, June Helm, Robert F. Heizer, Alfonso Ortiz, Wilcomb E. Washburn, Wayne Suttles, Ives Goddard, Deward E. Walker, Raymond J. DeMallie, Raymond D. Fogelson, Douglas H. Ubelaker, and Garrick A. Bailey. Vol. 5. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1984. Arima, B. "Y. 1963. Report on an Eskimo umiak built at Ivuyivik, PQ, in the summer of 1960." National Museum of Canada, Bulletin No. 189 (Ottawa).