Charms and Rituals
Fishing societies often turn to charms, amulets, or totems as
protective devices. In some cases, these objects are worn by an
individual; in others, they serve as shrines for a crew, family,
or community as a whole.
Spirit Protectors
Spirit protectors, Nunivak Island, Alaska, 1927
Wooden plaques of masked images were placed inside kayaks to
serve as protective charms.
National Museum of Natural History
Ocean Planet Exhibition Floorplan
gene carl feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428
Judith Gradwohl, Smithsonian Institution (Curator/Ocean Planet)