Some shots around town

 More tracks near the school.

 Sun trying to get through the ice fog.

 These are called "sundogs" and are on either side of the sun.

 Sunrise, about 10:30 AM. Went for a walk to try to catch the light.  A raven got caught. The Kilbuk Mountains are on the horizon with some cloud toppings.

 Walked across the river to see if there could be interesting photos. Moon was bright.

 I froze, fingers hurt, cheeks were stinging, toes were beginning to go numb.

 Headed home fast.

More Selaviq'ing

 We went to the evening service at the church, which lasted about an hour. It was our first time in this church as we had spent time only in the Moravian one. Bruce and I stood in the back, but women were on one side, men on the other. We heard the next morning service was to be about 30 minutes so had our girls get up to attend. But, we misunderstood, as the service lasted over two hours. It was a privilege to have witnessed the service with the incense, readings, chantings, and relics. The girls were very patient as we all stood for that amount of time, except when we were kneeling on the floor, with the frost (cold knees!). The Father came over afterward and visited. He is the new Father of this church and will travel in from Kasigluk.

 After the evening service we walked with the handful of churchgoers to the next house for Selaviq.

 

 The next day, we received a call inviting us over to a home as they were to be next in line with the community showing up. We arrived early and tried to help them get ready. Of all tasks, three of us were asked to open up and begin the canister of wet wipes. We all failed....

We ended up in a room that, eventually, became very crowded with kid energy. Bunk beds can just be too much fun.

 Big bag of popcorn balls being passed out to everyone.

 

 How to take a picture at night in a raging blizzard? Families were off to the next house. We decided to call it quits. The Selaviq continued. When our school started up they were still finishing up the holiday in a neighboring village and we lost students that day. Many children, just like after Halloween, were exhausted due to late nights and lots of candy!

Selaviq-Inside

 Once everyone walks in and finds a place to stand or sit (it can be tight!!) prayers and singing begin. Everyone is trying to face the wall that has an alter on it. Some words are in English, some in Yugtun. This can take awhile. The star continues to spin, and the banner (which had been lit with a small candle placed near the top) stays put until it is all over.



Eventually, everything stops, all find a seat, and the party begins!

Those in the community know to bring a bag, backpack, or a purse of some sort. The first to be passed out is the candy. Most people in the house get it, but some is specifically for the olders or youngers. I was given a large candy bar because I'm an elder. We all got Cracker Jacks!

Next, gift items may be passed out. Similar to a throwing party, women may get soap, hand cloths, combs, and men may get socks, razors, or water bottles. Babies may get bottles, or toys. Teens may get lotions, and bags.

Next, the feast begins. Akutaq is served to the adults, an Eskimo staple. Berries and fat are the traditional ingredients. Crisco has become a substitute and the berries most commonly used are the salmon and blackberries.

Then, soup is passed out to the adults; fish, fowl, or meat. The soup could be made up of whitefish or salmon, moose or caribou, or crane, swan or duck.

The children get their feast too. Typical was macaroni with red sauce and jello. Both of our girls did a great job with trying everything.


These photos of us were taken in the arctic entry. It was already too crowded to find a place inside. 

This is the banner that gets used every year.

 At this house, we made it into a room that wasn't very crowded. Elders get up and begin to move to the table to get tea/coffee, bread (atsaluk-fried bread), and salted fish which is usually salmon. This salted fish is just brined, not dried. Sometimes there can be dried moose, caribou and fish at the table.

As a place at the table opens up men begin to take their places, and eventually the women will go. At some point in time it is decided to move onto the next house. The banner and star are picked up, and a group moves on outside with others following.

 Not so lucky in this room! It was very crowded. At least the girls and Bruce were able to lean against the wall. Sometimes one ends up in the middle with no wiggle room.

 After two houses it was time for us to go home as it was about a four hour experience and we were tired.

 

Sunset about 4:15.

Russian Orthodox Christmas Begins - The Selaviq

 This year Selaviq was celebrated January 7-11 in Atmautluak. It was very cold, again, so it was hard to imagine going from house to house, which is what we did. We felt very honored as we got phone calls from people in the community inviting us to join up. We did not make it to the first church service as the community was notified by VHF, but did join up by the time they made it to the second house.

 Lily is off to follow the banner and spinning star.