Chefornak Dance Festival

This weekend schools gathered in Chefornak with their Yuraq dance teams. The teams performed traditional Yup'ik dances. Everyone wore qaspeqs, headdresses, and used dance fans. 

Here is the Nightmute dance team. We brought 5 girls and 1 boy with us. 

We arrived on Thursday evening just in time to perform our songs. All the teams were able to perform 2 songs on the first night of the festival. 

During the day on Friday, all the students participated in native crafts. The girls learned how to bead braclets, make yoyos, headdresses, and dance fans. The boys made nets, fishing sticks, and dance fans. I followed the girls and was able to get a start on all the projects. In the evening everyone performed again. 

On Saturday, we started the day with crafts. Students were able to finish the projects they started the day before. At the end of the day, everyone performed for the last time. 

My finished yoyo. 

My started dance fans. I have all the materials so I can finish them at home. 

My almost finished headdress. I just have to add the dangling beads to the front, then I'm finished. I used beaver and coyote fur on the top. 

During the performances I dressed up and joined the team. I borrowed a headdress and fans from our other chaperone.