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Turning walrus bellies into a cash cow

by Rhonda McBride
Monday, May 21, 2007

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- During spring time in Savoonga, you can find whale ribs and baleen resting against houses.

You'll also find racks loaded down with walrus meat -- a reminder that the walrus is the backbone of the economy.

The tusks are prized for carving and while most people might know that, they don't often appreciate how almost every part of the walrus or "ayveq" is used.

Savoonga basket maker Arlene Waghiyi said even the walrus stomachs are a valuable resource.

"This is what we call siighnaq -- that's walrus stomach. This was the original Ziploc, a long time ago," Arlene said.    

Women used the stomachs to store green plants and other foods they gathered because the organs are waterproof and airtight.

"Now it's a little easier for us nowadays. Women a long time ago, they work hard," Arlene said.    

Only a few generations ago, women worked outdoors to cure the stomachs. They used snow and water to clean off the thick blood vessels.

Today walrus bellies are cured inside where it's warm. It's John Waghiyi's job to wring them out and repair tiny tears.

The work demands attention to detail and eventually John is rewarded.

Through John's breath a walrus stomach takes on a new life. Once the skin is stretched and cured, it's fitted to a wooden frame to make a drum. It's an instrument with a voice that comes from the belly of the walrus.

"Subsistence is our way of life. Subsistence is spirituality. Subsistence is acknowledging our creator," John said.      

He said a successful village economy has to have a foot in two worlds, one rooted in the subsistence tradition, which now increasingly depends upon the cash to sustain it.

John is one of the lucky ones. He's the agent for Hagelund Aviation, one of the few steady jobs in the village.     

Even so his family depends on the walrus to give twice: its meat to fill their bellies and the walrus' very own belly as a source of extra cash.

"It's always been a medium where we counted on helping supplement or pay for the bills. Getting our heating fuel, gas, flour, sugar," John said.

Arlene uses the stomachs to make berry baskets and sells them to shops.     

The baskets are a big hit with cruise ship tourists, who want to bring home a piece of Alaska.

Yesterday's ingenuity comes filled with so many possibilities. 

The world of Savoonga and the world of the walrus are all part of the rhythm of life. 

Arlene and John Waghiyi call their business The St. Lawrence Island Drumbeat. As of this morning, John was still blowing up walrus stomachs. He hopes to inflate a total of sixteen bellies this spring.

The business started with the drum making and then Arlene started making baskets with the strips that were leftover. The family also represents other craftspeople in the village and helps them sell their goods.  

Contact Rhonda McBride at rmcbride@ktuu.com