Beluga Whale Use. The beluga whale provided meat and oil to the hunter’s family and dogs. The meat was generally cut into strips and dried. The blubber was rendered into oil and put into containers with lids for the winter. Their sinews were made into ropes and string for bow, because the beluga sinew string is strong (Xxxx, 1987). Their stomachs were used as oil containers. Beluga (and bear) intestines were made into gut parkas for wet weather gear (Xxxxxxxx, 1975). Belugas were an important food source for the upper and outer Inlet Xxxx’xxx, especially before the moose arrived in the Inlet region in the late 1800's (Xxxx and Xxxx, 1982). As important as the meat was, whale blubber and oil were of even greater economic importance (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx, 1988). The blubber from the beluga whale was rendered into oil to store other foods or used in lamps for heat and light. Kalifornsky (1991) reported that cooked clams were placed in a beluga stomach and covered with oil to preserve the clams over the winter. The clams were then washed in hot water and cooked during the winter months. The meat is eaten fresh, dried, roasted, boiled, and ground. The skin and a layer of fat (kimmuq, or muktuk) are eaten raw, pickled, canned, or boiled. The ivory teeth are used in a variety of functions and were important trade items (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx, 1988). Whale bone was used in Native art (e.g., masks) and handicraft work.
Beluga Whale Use. Beluga whales provided meat and oil to the hunter’s family and dogs. The meat was generally cut into strips and dried. The blubber was rendered into oil and put into containers with lids for the winter. Their sinews were made into ropes and string for bow, because the beluga whale sinew string is strong (Xxxx, 1987). Their stomachs were used as oil containers. Beluga whale (and bear) intestines were made into gut parkas for wet weather gear (Xxxxxxxx, 1975). Beluga whales were an important food source for the upper and outer Inlet Xxxx’xxx, especially before the moose arrived in the Inlet region in the late 1800's (Xxxx and Xxxx, 1982). As important as the meat was, whale blubber and oil were of even greater economic importance (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx, 1988). The blubber from beluga whales was rendered into oil to store other foods or used in lamps for heat and light. Kalifornsky (1991) reported that cooked clams were placed in a beluga whale stomach and covered with oil to preserve the clams over the winter. The clams were then washed in hot water and cooked during the winter months. The beluga meat is eaten fresh, dried, roasted, boiled, and ground. The skin and a layer of fat (kimmuq, or muktuk) are eaten raw, pickled, canned, or boiled. The ivory teeth are used in a variety of functions and were important trade items (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx, 1988). Whale bone was used in Native art (e.g., masks) and handicraft work.
