parka on the left, photos of people wearing parkas on the right

CHIGDAX̂ OR CHAĜTALISAX̂

(Unangax̂ Raincoat) Likely early 20th C. ASM UA/UC-81.

Summer-processed northern fur seal or Steller sea lion intestine. Overall sinew-sewn construction with double-couched stitch on interior. Narrow painted esophagus included as decorative and reinforcing welts in seams at hood, upper torso, bottom hem, and sleeve openings. Wrists also have piping with twisted plant fiber reinforcement inside and braided cotton wrist ties (bundled). Braided cotton drawstring at hood.

Top right: Cultural differences, 1909. At left, a man in a rubber coat, boots and hat, and at right a man in a seal gut chigdax̂, boots, and a bentwood hat. C. Willard Evans collection at the Museum of the Aleutians, MOTA 2019.007.048. Bottom right: Chief Karp Buterin wearing gut parka tucked into gut pants, St. Paul Island. C. Willard Evans collection at the Museum of the Aleutians, MOTA 2019.08.075

Common Unangax̂ Materials

  • Often made of Steller sea lion or northern fur seal intestine (may be very narrow).
  • Summer-processed, translucent intestine from these animals may be exceptionally thin.
  • Tufts of colorful yarn, fur, or feathers in the seams, sometimes in patterns.
  • May have seam reinforcement of painted esophagus strips.
  • Older garments may have elaborate trims embroidered with thread or caribou hair on narrow dyed esophagus strips.

Regional Commonalities

Both forced and voluntary migration of people through the Pacific region of southern Alaska may have contributed to the many similarities among Unangax̂ Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, and Athabascan gut parkas. Few bears are found west of Umnak Island along the Aleutian chain, suggesting species identification of northern fur seal or Steller sea lion may point to Unangax̂ attribution.

Typical Unangax̂ Construction

  • Some Unangax̂ gut parkas are exceptionally tall.
  • Strips oriented horizontally with vertical side seams.
  • Usually sewn with sinew, using fine stab stitch that couches loops of another thread running over the edge of the seam (double-couched stitch).
  • Seams may incorporate strips of painted esophagus as reinforcement.
  • Hood fits as close, gathered oval shape around the face.
  • Edge of hood may turn a corner in an L-shape at the cheeks.
  • Neck may be very tall, with two or three levels of collar strips around the neck.
  • Sleeves may be tight-fitting and narrow, especially from elbow-to-wrist.
  • Sleeve openings have long braids of sinew or string to be tied around the wrist.
  • Bottom hem may be finished with strips of painted esophagus.