Kayak greeting ceremony brings bay history to life 09/09/04
Story last updated at
3:14 PM on
Thursday, September 9, 2004
Kayak greeting ceremony brings bay history to life
By Carey James
Staff Writer
Photo by Carey James, Homer News
Photos by Carey James, Homer News Kilann Tanape, above left, and Nick Tanape, center, are greeted by Peter Lind at the kayak welcoming ceremony Saturday morning. Below left, kayakers circle the Homer Marine Terminal and are greeted by dancers from Nanwalek, below right, and Port Graham. A kayaker rests on the sunlit water, bottom left, while Gabriela Smith holds the icon of Saint Innocent of Alaska during a blessing of the kayaks performed by Father Paul Moses Jaroslaw of the All Saints of America Antiochian Orthodox Church.
A brisk wind and rolling waves in Kachemak Bay moved the location of a kayak welcoming ceremony from the shores of the Homer Spit to the Homer Marine Terminal on Saturday but a crowd of onlookers found the new location in time to enjoy one of the highlights of last weekend's Native festival.
Put on by the Pratt Museum in collaboration with the native communities of Kachemak Bay, the kayak welcoming ceremony dates back beyond anyone at the ceremony's living memory.
Photo by Carey James, Homer News
But Nick Tanape of Nanwalek, who helped organize the event, said it's a ceremony his father remembered from a time when a group of returning hunters or visiting travelers was an event to be celebrated by the whole village.
Traditionally, hunters from Kachemak Bay would travel to the Kenai Fjords area each fall to hunt for bear and other animals. Early in the spring, he said, they would return, bringing back food to the village.
"It was a big celebration," he said.
A crowd basked in Saturday's early morning sunshine as the kayakers, some dressed in traditional garments, hats and head dresses, circled the Homer Spit barge basin and landed on the shore.
Photo by Carey James, Homer News
A Russian Orthodox blessing was delivered, emphasized by the singing of villagers as the kayakers waited, heads bowed, in their vessels. Two groups of dancers, one from Port Graham and the other from Nanwalek, added their touch to the festivities.
"It means a lot to me," Tanape said. "It's something we can do to keep the traditions alive."
This year's celebration involved many young people from the villages in an effort to include the younger generation in such cultural events. Tanape said the youth were honored to have been invited to participate.
Photo by Carey James, Homer News
"They sure seemed to be proud," Tanape said with a smile.
The event was one of several included in "Tamamta Katurlluta A Gathering of Native Tradition," put on by the museum every other year.
Gale Parsons, one of the event organizers, said more than 1,000 people attended the weekend's events.
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