The
traditional Alutiiq house - ciqlluaq - often referred to by
the Russian term barabara, was a sod covered structure built
partially under ground. After digging a foundation, builders erected
a post - napataq - and beam frame covered with planks hewn
from driftwood. Logs were split with stone mauls and whale bone
wedges, and formed into planks with stone adzes. Blocks of sod
were then piled over the frame for insulation. A small hole -
saguaq (smokehole) - was left in the center of the roof and
covered with a hatch - patua - which could be opened to release
smoke or let in fresh air.
Each house
had a set of rooms connected by narrow tunnels - amik, doorways
to side room. Houses were entered through a low door - siinaruaq
- that led into a large room with a central hearth - keneliwik,
"place where you make fire." Around the walls were earthen
benches for sitting and sleeping covered with dry grass or bear hide
mattresses - takukaram amit. Here, Alutiiq people cooked,
repaired tools, sewed clothing, and hosted visitors. Stores
of food hung from the ceiling in seal stomach containers - isuwim
suqaq.
Attached to the central
room were a number of side chambers for sleeping - qawarqik
- and steam bathing - maq'iwingu'aq (also known by the Russian
term banya). Rocks heated in the hearth were carried to the
banya with wooden tongs - qumiutuq - and splashed with cold
water to create steam. The maq'iwingu'aq was also the
smallest room in the house with a low roof designed to trap heat.
Hot rocks were traditionally piled in the corner - yaamat, rock
pile - so bathers could exit easily.
The entire
house was surrounded by a drainage ditch - kuigauq -and larger
gear including kayak frames, paddles, fishing nets - stored on the
roof. Racks for drying fish and meat - initaq - were
commonly constructed beside houses.
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