Making kiviak has traditionally been a community effort in Inughuit culture.
[1] Up to 500 whole auks are packed into the seal skin, beaks and feathers included.
[3] Over the course of three months, the birds ferment,[3] and are then eaten during the Arctic winter, particularly on birthdays and weddings.
[3] Polar explorer Knud Rasmussen's death is attributed to food poisoning by kiviaq.
[5][6] In August 2013 several people died in Siorapaluk from eating kiviak that was made from eider rather than auk.