At
the time of Russian Contact, the Alutiiq lived
in large coastal villages. These settlements
were prominently located, often at the mouths
of Kodiak's major rivers or on points of land
where inhabitants could watch for sea mammals
and monitor the movements of other people.
Additional requirements included a source of
fresh water and a gently sloped beach for landing
skin boats.
Villages
ranged in size from small summer fishing camps
with a cluster of sod houses to large winter
settlement with many dwellings. Archaeological
data illustrate that some villages had as
many as 100 houses. Russian accounts
suggest that an extended family of about eighteen
people lived in each house and that household
residents were related to each other through
women. For example, a pair of sisters
might share a house, living together with
their husbands, children, and perhaps other
relatives.
Although
living arrangements centered around women,
men were community leaders. Each major
settlement had a set of political and religious
specialists, including a chief - angnertaq,
a second chief, a ritual specialist -
kas'aq, and at least one shaman -
kalla'alek. The position of
chief was inherited, and gradually passed
down to a son, brother, uncle, or nephew by
an aging leader.
Chiefs
were usually the wealthiest members of their
communities. Some powerful leaders oversaw
the political business of several villages
and many maintained special men's houses -
kashim. In these large single-roomed
sod structures men of all ages met to discuss
village business, plan raids on other communities,
and lead winter ceremonies honoring ancestors.
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