Shaman Harpooned/Angatgokmit Tangikhiktok

About this object

Narrative

The set was originally purchased by a previous owner in Toronto. In Feb. 2024 the donors purchased the set from the previous owner, in a silent auction benefit.

Iconographic meaning

Print is likely a representation of Kakemana, a celebrated shaman from the Cambridge Bay area. He had a hole in his chest and thus could be pierced by a harpoon without being injured. As Emerak recalled, "When I first started learning about these things, I remember seeing him. When people got sick, he would make them better. He also helped them in their hunting. There are many angatkut (Interview with BC, October 1982)."

Physical description

Stonecut print of a shaman being harpooned through the chest, surrounded by figures; done in horizontal orientation on off-white paper. Five figures in the scene, all wearing hooded, short and tailed parkas, with a small seal in foreground, belly up. Shaman is in centre of group, with their back facing outward; two figures to their left are turned toward them and holding harpoons. Figure directly to the shaman's right is watching and gesturing at the scene. Final figure is depicted at an angle in front of the shaman, looking down at them. They are holding the line for a detachable harpoon head in both hands; harpoon shaft is tossed to the side. Harpoon head is visible through the back of the shaman's chest; shaman has their right hand held up and their left tucked in front of their body. Artist signature printed in bottom right corner, in between seal and figure gesturing at the scene. Entire design is done in black ink. Title, Shaman Harpooned/Angatgokmit Tangikhiktok, edition number, 14/55, and artist and printer names, Emerak/L. Nigiyok, written in pencil along bottom edge of printer. Holman Eskimo Co-Operative stamp blind embossed in bottom right corner.