Mazzaq Tigittuaq: Qarġi/Qasġiq

In the next video in BSNC’s educational series Mazzaq Tigittuaq, learn about the importance of the qarġi (Iñupiaq) or qasġiq (Yupiit) from BSNC shareholder and philosopher Maaruk, Warren Jones. Maaruk is an Alaska Salmon Fellow with the Alaska Humanities Forum and a former Governance Fellow at First Alaskans Institute. He is a steward of Northern philosophy, investigating the philosophies unique to the circumpolar North. Maaruk has won two Alaska Press Club awards, is a published poet and a stay-at-home dad of four.
The qarġi/qasġiq is known as a men’s house but was also used as a community gathering place. The purpose of the qarġi/qasġiq was to educate and train the young men/boys to become skillful in different trades, survival and/or hunting, as well as a place to provide life lessons. Historically, the men’s house accommodated all the men and boys seven years and older. The women/ girls would bring food to the men’s house and in the evenings, gather there for traditional singing, dancing and festivals. It served as a ceremonial and spiritual place for Our People where culture was celebrated. It also served as a schoolhouse and traditional workshop and official business was also conducted between individuals, the village and with other villages or groups of people.
BSNC thanks Maaruk for sharing his knowledge of the qarġi/qasġiq for this video. We would also like to thank the Alaska Art Alliance and the ivory carvers, including shareholders Jason and Eric Tetpon, for sharing their space with us. BSNC's educational series titled Mazzaq Tigittuaq, Inupiaq for “sunrise," celebrates the culture and knowledge of Our People.