МАЭ № 2888-77

Light harpoon for hunting otter

Kodiak Eskimos

first half of 19th century

wood, paint, ivory, seal sinew, bald eagle feather, caribou antler

length 121.8 cm, length from the top of the shaft to the wrapping 18.5 cm, length of the point 45.2 cm, diameter at the top of the shaft 1.7 cm, diameter of the shaft 1.5 cm

Eagle feathers are affixed to the lower part of the harpoons to ensure the proper flight trajectory. Yu. F. Lisianskii noted: “By the way, I was surprised by an eagle that flew into the barabora after the sun had gone down and sat by the fire. They said that he had learned, no matter where they were located, to recognize their kayaks when they were returning with their catch of fish, and then would fly home. The inhabitants of Kodiak kept these birds solely for they feathers which they used for all kinds of arrows” (Lisianskii 1947: 172—173).

Ethnography of America