Object 23 : 17

Notice

During the whale hunt, the wife of the expedition’s captain went to meet the cetacean and welcome it respectfully into the community. She would pour freshwater from this ceremonial bucket into its blowhole to slake its thirst and appease its spirit. By this ritual, accompanied by ceremonial singing, it was believed that the soul of the whale that had let itself be caught would rejoice at such a welcome and pass peacefully into the body of another animal