SILAŊŊAAQ OR KAPITAQ

(Iñupiaq Gut Raincoat) Likely mid-20th C., ASM II-A-5805

Summer-processed bearded seal intestine. Overall thread-sewn construction with running stitch on interior, plus double-couched stitch on exterior at shoulders and upper torso. Narrow sealskin trims at hood and sleeve openings. Seal fur at the bottom hem. Cotton drawstring at hood.

Top right: Agnes and Eva in seal gut rain parkas. C.1935-1941. Associated with the Lomen Commercial Company, Folger, George C. papers. UAF-1982-5-225.
Bottom right: King Island Dancers with walrus masks. Wien Collection, Anchorage Museum, 81985.27.2380.

Common Iñupiaq Materials

• Often made of bearded seal intestine, walrus, or whale.
• Summer-processed, translucent intestine.
• May have narrow brown sealskin trim around hood and sleeves.
• May have adult or unborn seal fur trims.
• May have fabric trimming the edges.

Regional Commonalities

The Inupiaq gut parkas of northern Alaska share some features with parkas further east on St. Lawrence Island and in the Bering Strait area, such as vertical seams and gathered hoods.

Typical Iñupiaq Construction

• Intestinal strips often oriented vertically, sometimes horizontally.
• Typically sewn with a running stitch that looks like a dotted line.
• Sometimes overcast stitches are used.
• Stitches might be on exterior or interior of the garment, sometimes both. May have pattern of top stitching in a darker color, especially on hood and shoulders.
• A single strip of intestine may encircle the face and extend to the bottom of the front hem.
• Hood fits as close, gathered oval around the face.
• Hood may have a decorative element such as fur, feather, or yarn at the tip.
• Neck may have long, narrow downward triangles or “gores” on each side of torso, and other tusk-like triangles elsewhere.
• Sleeve openings may have sealskin or fabric trim.
• Bottom hem is usually finished with cloth or fur trim.