Postcard of reindeer sled caravan at Golden Gate Pass, Alaska, 1915-1917

{{en| Probably at Reindeer Fair. Lomen Studio postcard. PH Coll 328.44 The Reindeer Fair was started in 1915 as a way to increase interest in the reindeer industry and provide an opportunity for widely dispersed Eskimo herdsmen to exchange ideas. The first fair was held near Pilgrim River and on the Seward Peninsula. "A week spent in friendly rivalry, competitions, and visiting would give everybody an opportunity to observe various methods in action and to exchange techniques of handling the animals." Contests and demonstrations were held in lassoing, sled-lashing, shooting, races, etc. In 1916 the fair was held in February, at the Kruzamapa Hot Springs, across Golden Gate Pass from Nome. At the third and final fair in 1917, Eskimos arrived in their finest fur parkas, and decorated reindeer harnesses with carved pieces of walrus ivory and brightly colored yarn pompoms. In 1918, the influenza epidemic killed most of the most experienced Eskimo deermen and the reindeer fairs were never revived. *Subjects (LCTGM): Reindeer; Sleds & sleighs--Alaska *Subjects (LCSH): Reindeer industry--Alaska; Reindeer herders--Alaska

Date

1915–1917

Photographer / author

Lomen Bros.

Archive

Wikimedia Commons

Type

image

Original size

768 × 443 pixels

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