A Cultural Exchange Kayaks and Heart Shapes

Cultural exchange is a wonderful and beneficial interaction between Humans. It enriches, preserves and evolves the things exchanged. For example the famous Mohawk Hairstyle, once a mark of a Warrior going to battle amongst the Kanienkeh members of the Iriquois League, was adopted by disillusioned youth in the late Seventies and Early Eighties to epitomize rebellion and a need for change. What would have happened to the influential Greek Philosophers and Scientist’s writings, if there had been no cultural exchange with the Middle East? Would their works have been lost forever during the dark ages of Europe? 

Some early visitors to Alaska were the Yankee Whaling ships. Trade imediately began between them and the Inupiat Eskimos of Northern Alaska. Many things were fashioned for them, like the popular Biliks and Cribbage Boards, made of Ivory. The Yankee Whalers returned home with beautifully made gifts for loved ones and tales of the exotic Eskimo people and their amazing skin boats they could roll in the deadly, frigid waters and come to no harm, while they happily paddled along. 

Inupiats began a new venture, with the first of many visitors to Alaska. Where Ivory had been used for more functional forms, like tools and powerful Inua charms, it now became a method to generate trade and income. At some point a Yankee whaler must’ve drawn a heart shape for an Inupiat Ivory carver. I am sure the Ivory carver scratched his head and thought, a heart? Hearts don’t look like that. Perhaps we are  misunderstanding each other, but I can make that shape.