“Staamin” (Four) Augca’aq Set in Mask Box featuring baleen, dentalium shells, hair and Velcro clasp (Traditional Whale Dart Game) 

$300.00 plus shipping.
If you would like to purchase this item, please contact Teacon here.

Games like Augca’aq (sometimes called Spears) were not only a fun way to pass the time, but a way for men to practice the skills they needed as hunters.  In this dart game, players play in teams of two trying to spear the wooden whales that hang from the ceiling.  Certain areas of the whale are worth more points than others.  If a player hits another player’s dart that is already stuck in the whale, that player automatically wins the game.  Otherwise, players collect tally sticks for each point earned, taking them from the other team if necessary.  The first team to get all twelve tally sticks, wins.  Alutiiq men were great gamblers and gambled their homes, their kayaks, and even their wives in games such as this.  Dentalium shells were not available in Kodiak waters.  The Alutiiq traded with other natives for them.  Dentalium shells were the ultimate sign of wealth.