Nalukataq

Nalukataq (Inupiaq: [nɐlukɐtɑq], naluk- 'to throw it underhand; to toss it up' + kataq) is the spring whaling festival of the Iñupiat of Northern Alaska, especially the North Slope Borough.

"[1] After the spring whale hunting season, successful crews celebrate with a Nalukataq festival.

[2] Associated with the summer solstice,[3] these take place in June and are scheduled to avoid conflicts between villages in order to allow friends and relatives from distant communities to share the bounty and the fun.

Utqiaġvik, because of its large population, has the most events, but Point Hope, Alaska and other villages along the North Slope also stage several.

[9] Festive clothing is commonly worn to the event, and highly decorated mukluks and parkas of seal, caribou, wolverine, wolf, and fox are abundant.

After a break, filled by singing and story telling, the whaling crews begin to distribute the catch to each family who attends the event.

The blanket, mapkuq,[8] may be made from several walrus or bearded seal, ugruk, skins, or canvas, and sewn together in a circle or square.

Outdoors a rope extends from each corner, and is pulled tightly between four wooden beams, formerly three whale bones, using block and tackle.

[13] The minimum goal is to land back on one's feet, next to do this as many times as possible,[16] and advanced tricks include kicks and flips.

Originally they threw out goods, such as baleen or tobacco,[12] clothing, tools, or food as a means of demonstrating their ability to provide, but today that tradition has evolved, and wives of the captains throw candy to surrounding children once airborne.

[23] Former champion and state representative Reggie Joule,[24] once appeared on The Tonight Show to discuss the blanket toss.