Alaska Native
Kayak Pump
Kayak Pump used to remove excess water from kayak. The wooden pump tied on the kayak.
This is a replica of a wood pump was used in long sea journeys to siphon water out of the kayak (baidarka) when needed it was placed between the hunters outstretched legs. The mouth was used to suck water into the wood pump; a finger was then used to close the other end. Water would be released over the side of the kayak into the sea. If the pump should be lost at sea, a piece of floating kelp with the bulb could be used as a temporary measure. Materials: cedar, synthetic sinew and paint.
Aleut/Alutiiq artist.
Peter Lind