IDENTITY: KNOWLEDGE

Gut Processing Tools and Materials

Use of inner organs in artwork, handmade belongings, and cuisine has often been misunderstood as gross, savage, or desperate. Gut processing and manufacture is a sophisticated and ancient technology based on multi-generational relationships among humans, animals, places, and other sentient forces. This is demonstrated in the processing of intestine, which varies locally but follows several main steps.

Unborn Seal
Yup’ik from Emmonak, collected in Bethel in 1963.
Ringed seal, calf skin, thread, cotton batting. This kind of fur was often used for decorative trims, embellishments, and tassels.
Gift of Bill and Earline Smith. ASM 85-13-1

Roll of Intestine
Martina John (Yup’ik) of Toksook Bay, C. 2005.
Summer-processed bearded seal, as used to make raincoat 2005-14-1.
ASM 2005-14-2

Roll of Intestine
White, opaque, winter-processed intestine.
Collected before 1913 by Lt. George Thornton Emmons, likely through Louis L. Bales. ASM II-A-4681

Sea Lion Esophagus
Throat of a sea lion, stretched with sticks for drying.
Collected before 1911 by Lt. George Thornton Emmons. ASM II-A-3069

Sinew
Yup’ik or Inupiaq (attributed), early 20th C.
Collected before 1913 by Lt. George Thornton Emmons, likely through Louis L. Bales. ASM II-A-282

Beach Grass
Rita Pitka Blumenstein (Yup’ik) from Tununak, C. 1970s.
Beach grass was used in the sewn seams of Yup’ik gut parkas.
ASM UA/UC-60

Gut Parka for a Doll
Inupiaq (attributed), collected 1890-1910. Collected by Claus & Ella Rodine.
Marine mammal intestine, fur, feathers, thread. The parallel ridges in the gut at the front of the parka are distinctive to walrus intestine, while the back is bearded seal intestine.
ASM 93-3-46

Cup Scraper
St. Lawrence Island Yupik.
Oval ivory scraper with a beveled edge for processing gut.
Collected by Dr. Daniel S. Neuman. ASM II-A-718

Cup Scraper
St. Lawrence Island Yupik.
Rectangular ivory scraper with a beveled edge for processing gut.
Collected by Dr. Daniel S. Neuman. ASM II-A-716

Ring Scraper
Inupiaq from King Island.
Ivory scraper made from the outer layer of the base of a walrus tusk, used for processing gut.
Collected by Dr. Daniel S. Neuman. ASM II-A-733

Winter-Processed Hog Gut
This shows the geometry of the intestine strip when cut open. A curved tube cut open on the outer curve has ruffles along the edges. A curved tube cut open on the inner curve has bulges as seen on the Bering Strait parka.
LC.511-1. ASM Conservation Research Collection

Clamp
Sven Haakanson, Jr, (Sugpiaq) based on example studied in a museum collection, C. 2016.
Such devices may have been used to clamp gut for sewing.
Private Collection

Black Bear Intestine, Summer-Processed Colon
Thicker, tougher, greasier colon area of the intestine, sometimes used in high-wear areas of garments. Brown bear is likely seen along tops of arms of Alutiiq/Sugpiaq parka, II-A-2489.
ASM Conservation Research Collection

Black Bear Intestine, Winter-Processed
Opaque white intestine clearly showing cross-hatching pattern distinctive to bear.
ASM Conservation Research Collection

Gut Dyed Blue
Indigo-dyed intestine, as might be used to decorate baskets.
ASM Conservation Research Collection

Gut Dyed Red
Intestine colored with commercial dyes, as might be used to decorate baskets.
Sheldon Jackson Museum hands-on collection #575

Sewing Kit
Attributed to Hazel or Pansy Omwari (St. Lawrence Island Yupik) of Savoonga, C. 1960s.
Seal fur box with walrus tooth knob, lined with winter-processed gut. Contains ivory needle, sinew thread, leather thimble, patches of fur, leather, gut, feather, and beak parts.
ASM II-A-6119

Sinew Thread
Annie Mayac (Inupiaq) of King Island, mid-20th C.
ASM II-A-6106

Needle Case
Inupiaq from King Island.
Ivory needle case with plug, belt hook, bodkin, and creaser with dual seal head stopper.
Collected by Dr. Daniel S. Neuman. ASM II-A-1097

Needle Case
Inupiaq (attributed)
Ivory needle case with ivory needle, stopper in shape of caribou head, sinew thread, scraper/blade, belt hook, thimble, and awl, adorned with beaded fur tassel.
ASM II-A-6528