Left: photo of a man rinsing intestine. Right: two photos of women inflating intestine.

IDENTITY: KNOWLEDGE

Gut Processing

Left: Dr. Sven Haakanson, Jr. rinsing bear intestine. Photo by Ellen Carrlee. Center: Tess Hostetter inflating gut during the Visceral bear gut processing workshop, 2023. Right: Tess’ great aunt, Mary Olympic, C. 1949. UAF-1985-0012-155.

5. Soaking

  • Blood must be soaked from the intestine over many hours with several changes of water.
  • Intestine will change from pink to white when clean.
  • Soaking may be done in a salty brine or urine to help with preservation.
  • Urine from babies or very young children was preferred in some cultures, since seals are said to have an excellent sense of smell and are offended by the scent of blood or sex.
  • Filling the tube with water can help locate holes.

6. Inflating

  • Intestine must be inflated fully to stretch the material taut as it dries.
  • Inflating can be done by mouth but in modern times a bicycle pump may be used.
  • Ends are tied tightly to keep air inside, sometimes tied down to prevent the gut from blowing away and to keep it straight.