DepartmentTextiles-United States & Canada
Woman’s nigraligaaq (fancy parka)
NameWoman’s nigraligaaq (fancy parka)
CultureIñupiaq
Datelate 19th–early 20th century
Place madeAlaska, United States, North America
MediumArctic ground squirrel, wolf, wolverine, hide, wool felt
DimensionsH 59" x W 49" x D 6" Chest: 50"
Credit LineMuseum of Interntional Folk Art, IFAF Collection, gift of Louis Criss, FA.1974.42.1
Object numberFA.1974.42.1
Description“Fancy parkas,” made of whole Arctic groundsquirrel skins and heavily decorated with wolverine
dangles and trim, are found throughout Alaska.
Historically, a U-shaped hem signified a woman’s
parka while men’s parkas had straight hems. Today,
most women’s parkas also have straight hems.
Each year in late April, when squirrels tunnel out
from their winter dens, women set snares at den
entrances, cleaned and skinned each day’s catch,
and strung them together in a “bundle.” Squirrel
meat not eaten by the women and their dogs was
dried and carried home. (from exhibition label text).
late 19th–early 20th century
1922
Early 20th Century
1920-1972
Early 20th century
1920-1972
early 20th century
