Ancient Land: Sacred Whale: The Inuit Hunt, Its Rituals And Poetry; Author: Lowenstein, Tom; Paperback

Author: Lowenstein, Tom
Paperback; Line Drawings
181 pages
Published: September 1999
Vintage/Ebury (A Division of Random House Group)
ISBN: 1860465757

On a tiny peninsula called Tikigaq, an ancient people evolved an intricate, densely woven system of rites to accompany their hunting. For 1,500 years, until late last century, elaborate myth and magic were integral to the Tikigaq way of life. Tom Lowenstein began to tap this rich and sacred tore in 1973 when he met Asatchaq, who, born in 1891, was the last great singer and storyteller of his people.Ancient Land: Sacred Whale is a work unique in contemporary literature, combining scholarly insight with poetic mastery to bring the grandeur of ancient Tikigaq imagination to Ere. Widely acclaimed as a classic text on Inuit culture and mythology, Lowenstein's masterpiece is rich with the astonishing detail of ancient life. This ancient and yet most modern of texts culminates withSubtitled The Inuit Hunt, Its Rituals and Poetry. Combines lyrical sequences with the mythology of the mysterious Tikigaq people.Provides an account of the Alaskan Inuit of Tikigaq who worshipped the whales they killed. The text records the author's 1973 experience of witnessing firsthand the dances and seances, puppet shows and divinations, spirit quests and lunar rites, and finally the annual springtime whale hunt.