Footage shot by William Van Valin as leader of the John Wanamaker Expedition to Pt. Barrow, Alaska for the University of Pennsylvania Museum. Footage known under the title TIP TOP OF THE EARTH: ARCTIC ALASKAN ESKIMO EDUCATIONAL SERIES. Includes subtitles and intertitles explaining shots. Cassette includes sections of films entitled "Eskimo Reindeer Industry", "Eskimo Seal Hunting", "Eskimo Whaling, part II", and "Scenes of the Midnight Sun". Depicted are activities associated with reindeer herding such as building an "ice pen" (coral) in which to rope, count, and tag animals; butchering reindeer; scenes pertaining to seal hunting by solitary hunters; seal retreived with a line after being shot with rifle; difficulties of returning over ice ridges with prey; dog team pulling beardedter being shot with rifle; difficulties of returning over ice ridges with prey; dog team pulling bearded seal from water's edge; women skinning seal with ulu; removing blood and intestines from seal; sledding whale meat to ice cellars; drying measevere weather; scenes around a whaling encampment; butchering a whale at water's edge; removing the jaw of whale to extract baleen; removing and cleaning baleen strips to be used as trade goods; whaling spot--nela-ka-tuk--tossing people on stretched walrus hide. Views of archeological excavations at Pt. Barrow showing sketal and cranial remains. which illustrate differences in communal life; Eskimo with dog team and sleds; the Pt. Barrow community gathered around their church; dances performed by men to dramatize everyday events; man paddling a kayak and demonstrating technique of the "eskimo roll"; children's games and walrus hide toss; Various activities associated with whaling.
Legacy Keywords: Dogs as means of transportation Alaska ; Sleds as transportation Alaska ; Guns used in seal hunting Alaska ; Boats use in hunting Alaska ; Hunting guns Alaska ; Food quest hunting fishing whaling Alaska ; Food preparation butchering drying Alaska ; Food preservation techniques of Alaska ; Dancing drumming ; Ecology seasonal movements Alaska ; Dancing drums Alaska ; Food communal distribution Alaska ; Animal husbandry reindeer Alaska ; Herding reindeer Alaska ; Whaling butchering Alaska ; Hides preparation of use of Alaska ; Sewing of hides Alaska ; Corrals reindeer herding ; Division of labor by sex ; Work groups butchering of whales ; Games children ; Language and culture
Local Number:
HSFA 1986.5.1 - 2
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Please contact the archives for information on availability of access copies of audiovisual recordings. Original audiovisual material in the Human Studies Film Archives may not be played.
Collection Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Collection Citation:
Tip top of the Earth: Arctic Alaskan Eskimo Educational Series, Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Cataloging supported by Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.
