МАЭ № 563-2

War bow with bowstring

Kodiak Eskimos

prior to 1838

wood, sinew, paint

length 142.7 cm, width 6.2 cm, thickness 2.9 cm

This bow and Chugach bow No. 2044—11 are similar in form to the reinforced bows of the Yup’ik Eskimos of Western Alaska who reside in the region between the Nushagak, Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers. They were used for hunting large animals such as bear, elk and caribou and also as battle weapons. Most likely, bows No. 563—2 and No. 2044—11 were acquired through trade with the Yup’ik Eskimos. “ Kodiak weapons consist of long spears, harpoons and darts with which they hunt sea animals: whales, harbor seals, killer whales and otters. When the residents are at war with one another, they fight with large bows like those of the Alaskans and shoot arrows with slate or copper points” (Lisianskii 1947: 185).

Ethnography of America