Makah Whaling
"Makah
whaling is an old tradition..."
Makahs are native American people from the US state of Washington.
They have been living in the state's coastal areas for almost 4000 years.
Traditionally, they lived in small coastal villages and got much of their food from the ocean.
Along with whales, they also caught fish and seals as well as smaller sea food.
They carved red cedar canoes to access the waters. Their hunting methods were difficult and unefficient.
They approached a whale with several canoes to strike the whale with harpoons which slowly killed the whale (nowadays, a rifle is used to ensure quick killing and less suffering).
Once killed, the whale was brought to land where traditional ceremonies were performed.
The whale was then chopped up and the products were divided between the villagers.
Makahs have been suspended their whaling rights over the years and then again been able to re-establish whaling when the populations have increased.
At present, they are allowed to take one whale a year, however it is believed that more than one are taken.
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