Utqiaġvik saw its first sunrise in over 60 days on Monday. Residents celebrated the end of polar night this week with the traditional “Welcome Back the Sun” dance.
As more than 400 children in Utqiaġvik raised their hands toward the ceiling of the school’s gym to greet the sun, the light shone through the windows a little brighter.
outside the campus on Monday, and Fred Ipalook Elementary School students gathered on Wednesday at the gym to“It’s a unique experience when we’re welcoming back the sun through dance, and everyone’s in unison,” said Vernon Charles Elavgak, traditional drummer and Iñupiaq teacher at Fred Ipalook Elementary. “The best moment was when the kids’ hands were motioning to the sun rise and set, and you could see the light become brighter.
Outside of Iḷisaġvik, three men were drumming while the rest repeated the motions of the dance, starting with moving their right hand down to the left and mirroring that with the other hand — the motion of the sun hitting the ground, Itta said. Then dancers shaped a semi-circle above them, showing the sunshine. A walking motion followed, symbolizing going outside to enjoy the sun.
The movements of the dance are also similar to the motions of throwing the sealskin onto a board for bleaching and then celebrating its successful tanning, Itta said.
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