It took Ulla more than 20 years offshore paddling experience in her baidarka to figure out that she might need a „chagudax“...
It just happens within a vivid discussion among master boatbuilders.
A „chagudax“ – meaning „open wooden hat“ in the Unangam Tunuu language (Eastern Aleut dialect) – is a traditional bentwood visor that was part of the Aleut paddler´s gear. These seal hunters shielded their eyes with a chagudax from bright sun and spray. The visor´s shape even helped them to hear better.
Now, back to the discussing boatbuilders: Their workshop is in only a few feets´s distance. It takes less than 5 minutes to grasp some scrap wood. A pencil is drawing the outlines what we´re thinking might look like a visor and then these are cut out with a jigsaw. Step two is soaking this piece of wood, bend and clamp it - done! Meanwhile Ulla browses through our museum´s library. Backed up by exhibition catalogues and books about the Aleut culture she gets an idea what to do next. Most time consuming is the art design on the visor´s topside. Now Ulla is proving her drawing skills and patience by using fine brushes and artist´s paints.
But still there´s something missing, something „special“, no matter what - got anybody an idea??
How it popped up and who threw this in - nobody knows – but THIS is it!
A tiny seal´s head at the front top of the chagudax! A small piece of soapstone was soon found and in less than 15 minutes it takes shape under Ulla´s fingertips. Now it is „hardening“ in our small enameling furnace.
Next is to work out details, doing a bit of beadwork, attaching a string to the visor etc.
Ulla´s chagudax is not finished yet but does look pretty good by now!
This was a fascinating crafting experience for all of us and maybe you noticed that Ulla´s chagudax is no longer the only one that is taking shape...
To learn more about Arctic kayaks: Baidarkas and Models of Arctic kayaks
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