Image: Parka (Kamleika) Aleutian Islands

Description: Photographed at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) on 21-Feb-06. Legend reads: Parka (Kamleika) Aleutian Islands. Aleut hood ceremonial kamleika. Waterproof overdress of sea mammal gut. Panel at chin is dyed gut applique with red wool embroidery. Fur and dyed gut applique trim the cuffs and hem. Human hair decorates the seams. Worn by a person of high rank or by a shaman when making contact with the spirit world. Collected before 1869. Whitney collection. The caption information presented above is out of date. From recent research the current display caption reads as follows "1 Parka (kamleika) 19th century Aleut, Arctic region A completely waterproof garment made of strips of seal gut that in Arctic conditions remains pliable. Double folded seams stitched with sinew thread and bird-bone (later iron) needles. This type of kamleika was worn by men, over a fur or bird skin parka, when out hunting in kayaks."

There is no evidence that the parka was used by a shaman. However, it was collected prior to 1869 and is one item from the Whitney collection. [Tony Eccles, Curator of Ethnography, Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery].
Usage Terms: Public domain