THE SEA OTTER DART

original: Acrylic on canvas, 24” x 40” (1992). Collection of J.C Chapman

Giclee printed on 17" x 20" paper.

The people of the Aleutian Islands, the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak Island, and Prince William Sound were famous as sea hunters, paddling their narrow, skin-covered baidarkas fearlessly in the uncertain seas and weather of their world in pursuit of sea lions, seals, and sea otters. It was their skills in hunting sea otters that led to their early subjugation and eventual acculturation by Russian fur traders. Sea otter hunting required not only skill in maneuvering the slender baidarka, but accuracy with the throwing board and harpoon dart, surely one of the most elegantly designed hunting-weapon systems in history. In the easily capsized baidarka, the throwing board was a more efficient launching implement than the bow, since it required only one hand for its use, while the other hand held a steadying paddle. The dart was a marvel of design, with its slender, Y-shaped bridle of finely braided sinew. When readied for use, the bridle was tightly wound onto the shaft When the dart struck, the point came free and the bridle unwound, pulling the shaft vertically through the water, as a drag. When the otter surfaced, the feathered end of the shaft floated upright, marking the otter’s location for the hunters.

High-ranking Aleut sea hunters wore prestigious bentwood hats, elaborately painted and lavishly decorated with carved ivory panels set with the long whiskers of Steller sea lions. The whiskers were ornamented with trade beads and feathers. Although it has been suggested that these hats were reserved to whalers, there is good evidence in early drawings, photographs, and models that they were also worn for hunting smaller sea mammals. Several types of bentwood visors were worn, as seen on the hunter in the background. These visors were painted and ornamented with whiskers and beads.