Shaman with Drum

In the Arctic, the drum is the only musical instrument that Iñupiat use in addition to the vocal apparatus, and it often serves as a symbol of indigenous pride, communal unity, and cultural identity. Drum membranes are usually made from from the stomach or liver linings of the bowhead whale or the hides of caribou and walrus. The drum has a round wooden frame, and a singer uses a wooden stick to beat the frame. Singing and drumming together form a vital element of northern culture. Drumming sessions are organized to celebrate a successful hunt and to show gratitude to the animals that gave themselves to the people. Through singing, drumming, and dancing, the web of reciprocity between animals and humans comes full circle. The shaman here is carved out of the fossilized vertebrae of a bowhead whale and illustrates vividly how, in the Alaska Native imagination, human identity merges with that of the whale through artistic, musical and ceremonial activities.