article
Postcontact Koniag ceremonialism on Kodiak Island and the Alaskan Peninsula: evidence from the Fisher Collection
Arctic anthropology • 29 (1) • Published In 1992 • Pages: 18-37
By: Crowell, Aron.
Abstract
Late nineteenth century dance masks, beaded headdresses, and other ceremonial articles from Kodiak Island and the Alaska Peninsula provide evidence for the extended postcontact continuity of Koniag religious beliefs and shamanic practices. Objects were selected for study from the large and well-documented William J. Fisher collection at the National Museum of Natural History. Postcontact innovation in the styles, media, and uses of ceremonial art are discussed on the basis of the Fisher materials. Results included documentation of a Koniag hunting ritual similar to the 'Doll Ceremony' of the mainland Alaskan Yupik. Sources employed in the description and interpretation of the objects include Fisher's field catalogs and correspondence, ethnographic and historical records, recent archaeological research, linguistic analysis, and material studies (p. 18).
- HRAF PubDate
- 2005
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Arctic and Subarctic
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle ; 2004
- Field Date
- no date
- Coverage Date
- 1780s-1884
- Coverage Place
- Koniag Eskimo, Kodiak Island and the Alaskan Peninsula, Alaska, United States
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 34-37)
- LCCN
- sf 78000711
- LCSH
- Koniagmiut Eskimos