Tuniit (tuː-niːt)
The Tuniit are a Selkie ethnicity that primarily lives in the vicinity of the large island of Umingmak in the Northern Region. They are part of the Taaru cultural group, and are closely connected to the Unughuit who also live on Umingmak.
The Tuniit were originally human, but were transformed by the god Silakpak after the great hero Igalaaq petitioned the god for help in surviving the harsh northern winter. He gifted them with the artifact known as Igalaaq's Wand, which had the power to make any human into a Selkie. The wand has since been lost, an event which the Tuniit consider one of the greatest tragedies ever to befall them.
Physical Appearance
The Tuniit are tall, with an average height of 6' for men and 5'9" for women. They have powerful builds, with barrel chests and thick, sturdy limbs. The Unughuit often speak of them as giants, and they tower over most other people. They have a thick coat of fur that protects them from the cold, and a layer of subcutaneous blubber which gives them even more ability to withstand the frigid waters where they hunt. Their fur tends to dark brown, grey, or black, and their eyes are always black or brown, with no visible sclera.
Common Dress & Style
Tuniit clothing is made from fur and leather, and typically consists of a shirt, parka, and pants. Their clothing often features intricate patterns and designs. Additionally, they often adorn themselves with jewelry made from ivory, bone, and other natural materials. When they swim, they wear a tight-fitting suit made from a specially prepared seal-skin, sewn with sinew, with draw-string seals. The sealskin is soaked, stretched, rubbed, and greased to keep it soft and waterproof. This, along with their natural advantages, allows them to remain in the chill waters of the Avannarleq Sea longer than any human could withstand.
When they are at home, the Tuniit wear minimal clothing, although total nudity is frowned upon except in intimate company.
Social Structure
The Tuniit have a complex social structure focused around their extended family group, which they call their ilagiit. Hierarchy within the ilagiit is based on age, gender, and skill. Elders hold a position of respect and authority, and the community often relies on their wisdom and experience. Individuals are valued for their skill in hunting and fishing, and those with great skill often hold positions of leadership within the ilagiit.
During the sun-seasons, an ilagiit will live on a sinaaq, a communal boat very similar to the Dòbhran floes. The Tuniit survive mainly by fishing and hunting, and they are also experienced whalers. A sinaaq will have a dozen or more umiaks (small open boats) on board, and the Tuniit use these to spread out across their range in order to ensure successful hunts.
During the dark seasons when the sun does not rise, the Tuniit return to the shores of Umingmak and the other islands of the north. There, they spend the winter in igluvijaq, homes made from whale bones and animal hides, insulated with snow. These buildings house ten or a dozen people, and several ilagiit will typically congregate near one another, each with several igluvijaq. Visits between the different ilagiit are common during the winter, and marriages are often formed during this time.
Relations between the Tuniit and the Unughuit people of Umingmak are mostly harmonious, as long as both sides keep their distance. The two ethnic groups honor their shared ancestry, and often trade goods and stories at the small trading settlements that dot the island.
Religion & Folklore
The Tuniit revere the Anirniit family of spirits, as is common among the Taaru people. They especially honor Silakpak, the god of the northern sea and the ocean mammals, especially seals, sea-lions, and walruses. With the end of every whaling season the last fluke of the year is brought to land by each sinaaq for the Kangirsujuaq Kajattat where they are ritually offered back to Silakpak.
They also acknowledge and honor the tuurngaq, the small spirits which inhabit every current, stone, stream, and breeze. These spirits can be helpful or malicious, and Tuniit shamans will frequently have formed a bond to one or more of the tuurngaq who help them.
The Tuniit, like the other Taaru cultures, celebrate the new year with a festival named Quviasukvik in Unugtitut. The new year officially begins when the Candles pass from the sky. Quviasukvik is marked with a great feast and rituals intended to please the gods and the local tuurngaq. These rituals vary greatly from one community to the next, and are tailored to the local spirits and gods where the ilagiit is located.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Foods & Cuisine
The Tuniit cuisine is based primarily on seafood and game, including fish, seals, and caribou. They prepare their food using traditional methods, such as smoking and drying, and often combine different ingredients to create hearty, flavorful dishes. Berries and other wild plants are also an important part of their diet, particularly during the summer months when they are in season. Additionally, they brew a variety of teas and other beverages using herbs and plants found on the island. One common dish is Suaasat, a soup made from seal, whale, and caribou meat, combined with starchy roots or grains. Suaasat is lightly seasoned, so that the flavor of the meats is dominant.
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