Yuungnaqpiallerput - The Way We Genuinely Live - Masterworks of Yup'ik Science and Survival

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In the Qasgi | The Way They Taught in the Qasgi | Tools of the Qasgi | Working with Wood | Kayak | Rigorous Training Process
The Way they Taught in the Qasgi
Martin Family Collection, Anchorage Museum

Men and boys in the qasgi in Kwigillingok, 1930s.


Qasgim taum ca tamalkuan avaliqluku. Tuani qasgimi yuk niicugniyarturaqluni qanruyutnek, qemaggluku-llu kalmaanaminun anluni.

The qasgi was the library holding all the information a person should know about our heritage. A person went to the qasgi to listen to rules for living and placed what he learned in his pocket and went home.

--Theresa Moses, Toksook Bay
 

Apertuagurluki. Tua-i qasgimi elitellruunga canek tua-i, caliyaramek arcaqerlua, caliangqerrsaraanek angutem. Taumek qasgi takarnarqellruuq marayaungermi.

They explained everything. I learned how to do things in the qasgi, especially how to make things and do men's work. That's why the qasgi was honorable, even though it was made of mud.

--Frank Andrew, Kwigillingok
 

Qasgiyaurcama tamatum nalliini aanama pinauraanga, "Kitak qasgimun agluten teglessaagaa." Cunawa waten pilallinikiinga, qalarquralria niicugnikumku, tugrumanrilngerma, tuaken eliskuma, tamaaken umyuaqerkamnek unguvallma taktaciatun atuumarkaulliniluku.

When I was old enough to go to the qasgi my mother would say, "Okay, go over to the qasgi and try to steal something." She apparently meant that when I listened to men teaching, though the instructor wasn't talking directly to me, if I learned something, it would be something that would help me over and over for the rest of my life.

--Paul Kiunya, Kipnuk


Qasgiruaq QasgiQasgi Model

Qasgi Model

Model made by Frank and Noah Andrew in 2005.

The gradual shortening of the beams creates a dome with corner posts but no central support.

The Romans get credit for inventing the dome in the Western tradition but, as Joan Hamilton remarked, "All that stuff about Greeks and Romans is a myth anyway!"

Dimensions

L- 25 2/2 in
W- 19 1/2 in
H- 16 in

Credits

Model made by Frank and Noah Andrew in 2005.

Photo: Ann Fienup-Riordan


Qasgi Entrance
Martin Family Collection, 1931


Qasgi in Kwigillingok. Smoke shows that men are taking a fire bath. A log placed to one side of the skylight keeps wind from blowing smoke inside.

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