Messenger Feast
messenger feast kivgiq kevgiq kivgiġñiq iñupiaq dialect north slope borough kivgiqsuat king island iñupiaq kevgiq yupik celebratory midwinter festival alaska traditionally held iñupiaq tikiġaġmiut nunamiut yupik people strong whale harvest event died early twentieth century presbyterian missionary area tried eliminate traditional ceremony shamanistic ritual longer practiced although elder information rite song dance continued celebrated alaska native named two messenger sent invite guest village festival two messenger kivgak dual kivgaq sg iñupaq kevgak dual kevgaq sg yupik would travel host village another village invite people kivgiq since late th century festival held almost every year officially held every two three year late january early february called discretion north slope borough mayor kivgiq international event attracts visitor around arctic circle iñupiat people celebrated kivgiq many century however earlier representation kivgiq discontinued early th century due social economical environmental pressure lapse year modern kivgiq reconstructed intended inspire iñupiaq even stronger collective identity enhanced ethnic pride nalukataq bladder festival yupik dancing