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Alaska Studies

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9 views2 pages

Alaska Studies

great

Uploaded by

leeffint2021
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Alaska Native Studies
Culture encompasses the collective attributes that define a group of individuals, including art,
language, social customs, music, literature, religion, and place of origin. Significantly, certain
cultures have a broad reach, attracting a large number of individuals, while others are more
limited, with only a small group of people identifying with them. Nevertheless, regardless of
their magnitude, cultures exert a substantial influence on the development of cultural
identities. Cultural identities are predominantly shaped by socially constructed categories that
instruct individuals about their personal attributes, beliefs, customs, values, ethics, behaviors,
practices, and modes of conduct. Cultural identity is acquired by each individual after birth,
and it is considered to be the least changing feature of a person. While the methods of
existence, conduct, and behavior may vary, individuals will perpetually have a connection to
their historical origins.
The Yupiit people possess a distinctive culture mostly centered around the art of weaving
various baskets utilizing grass. The practice of cultural identity has been a prominent and
enduring component among the Yupiit people, spanning throughout generations and serving
as a defining characteristic. Furthermore, art plays a crucial role in the culture of the Yupiit
people as they utilize diverse varieties of grasses to create issran, which is a form of grass
carrying-bag. In addition to grass carrying-bags, artisans would also fashion various goods,
such grass socks, grass shoe linings, and other clothing made of grass, to provide warmth
throughout the winter months. Art had a crucial role in the culture of the Yupiit people, since
it enabled them to skillfully craft useful items employing grass in innovative ways. During
the summer, Yupik grass weavers would skillfully prepare and weave gathered taperrnaq, a
type of coarse seashore grass, to create issran or grass carrying-bags. This practice showcases
the longstanding tradition of utilizing grass in many ways across generations. Another crucial
element of the Yupiit people's cultural identity is their utilization of grass weaving as a
therapeutic practice for the soul and mind, despite its time-consuming nature. Furthermore,
the Yupiit people transmitted their weaving expertise and customs to their offspring, which
played a crucial role in the development of their cultural identity. Consequently, the Yupiit
people possess distinct characteristics that delineate their culture and shape the development
of cultural identities over different generations.
Cultural identity is established via adherence to a tradition and serves to associate individuals
with their ancestral territory, community, culture, family lineage, and customs. Oral traditions
transmit crucial knowledge, cultural and social values, and collective information, playing a
crucial role in preserving cultures. Certain oral traditions are ubiquitous and embraced by the
entire community, whereas others are particular and only embraced by a single family.
Professor Charles begins by introducing himself as "Yupiugua" (meaning "I am Yupiaq") and
on to provide details about his parents, place of origin, and the significance of his names.
This demonstrates his commitment to preserving the cultural traditions passed down by his
predecessors over generations. Professor Charles adheres to a ritual, a familial culture, and a
heritage of oral expressions that his family has upheld for many years while introducing
themselves to others and seniors. He has acquired the ability to present a genealogy or family
tree as a means of expressing his cultural heritage. Oral traditions are inseparable from
Professor Charles' cultural identity due to their informative and substantial contributions.
Thus, oral traditions have the potential to play a crucial role in shaping an individual's
cultural identity.
Culture has a pervasive impact on individuals' behavior, actions, and beliefs. Cultural
components, such as artistic expressions, verbal customs, musical compositions, linguistic
patterns, choreographed movements, and acquired abilities, play a substantial role in shaping
cultural identity. Yupiit people's cultural identity is characterized by their proficiency in
weaving, art, singing, and therapeutic exercises. Oral traditions can play a substantial role in
shaping cultural identity since they impact an individual's behavior, habits, and social
interactions, being passed down through generations. Hence, cultural identity plays a crucial
role in shaping individuals' behavior, actions, and reactions to different matters.

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