Goahti
Yuraq
Yupik dancing is characterized by the use of dance fans. Dance fans for the women dancers are very pretty, made of woven grass and caribou whiskers or feathers. The men use a more plain, ring-style dance fan made of wood and feathers. The men typically kneel in front of the women, and all of their movements are exactly synchronized. Once a dance is finished, it is the Yupik tradition to shout "Pamyua," which means "Encore!" or "Again!"
Sometimes the yuraq dancers wear masks, and some wear beaded fur hats. Their moccasins can have fur and beads on them, too.
Some dancers that are really good at yuraq start dancing when they are very young. It takes a lot of practice to be a good Yupik dancer!
Yupik dancing is very important to Arctic Natives because it keeps their social structure strong by bringing families closer together. There is a great sense of pride taking part in dancing and singing to songs that their very farthest-back ancestors danced and sang to. And participants experience extreme spiritual feelings and closeness.
The dances are for ceremonial prayer, but they are fun, too. Everyone brings food. And these special times together helps the long wintertime pass more easily.
Sources courtesy of: alaska.edu/uaf/festival/cultures/yupik.xml, members.aol.com/klincoln45/t2.htm, asdk12.org/schools/williamtyson/pages/Pages/Museum%20Pages/YupikGalley/ydance.html
Images courtesy of: alaska.edu/uaf/festival/cultures/yupik.xml, members.aol.com/glincoln45/Kipusvik.htm
