Central Alaskan Yup’ik

Yupik-anlmap

The Central Alaska Yup’ik territory covers the southwest of mainland Alaska. Dance remains strong in many of the villages.

The typical Yup’ik dance song is composed of five parts.

Chorus

First Verse

Chorus

Second Verse

Chorus


Women dance standing while the men dance sitting down. Both hold fans while dancing, although the fans are made of different material for men and women. Women wear headdresses made of fur, beads, or even woven grass. Women also may wear belts of fur. Both men and women wear traditional boots called kameksat or pilugut.