1982: Yupiit Yuraryarait dance festival celebrates living Yup’ik
The first Yupiit Yuraryarait dance festival takes place at St. Mary’s, fostering a revival of the traditions of the Yup’ik people. It brings together elders, youth, and Yup’ik dancers in Alaska’s Yukon Kuskokwim region to learn about, preserve, and celebrate their living Yup'ik culture. Soon afterward, a second festival is held at Cama’i in Bethel.
- Theme
- Land and Water
- Region
- Arctic
Dancers from nearby villages join with Mt. Village drummers performing at the 1982 St. Mary’s Dance Festival. Yup’ik dance evolved in the restricted space of crowded sod rooms and is performed by moving the upper body while standing or seated in place.
Courtesy James H. Barker
Joe Chief Jr. of Bethel, Alaska, wearing a mask made by Alexie Issac, performs with the Bethel Traditional Dancers at the 1987 Bethel Dance Festival.
Courtesy James H. Barker