13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Elders waiting for whale meat during Nalukataq

These three Iñupiat elders were enjoying the 2015's Nalukataq celebration. It was a cold a rainy day. The community shares warm caribou soup, home made butter rolls and muktuk between many other local delicacies to keeping everyone warm and cozy. The blanket toss festival is centered on giving thanks for a successful whale harvest and the safe return of the whaling captains. No matter how bad the weather, everyone attends the celebration... with some elders arriving as early as 6A.M. to gather good seats.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2015
Date Uploaded: 11.2015
Photo Location: barrow, Alaska, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X
Copyright: © Florencia Mazza Ramsay
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