Oosik is a term used in Alaska to describe the baculum (penile bone) of walruses, seals, sea lions, and polar bears. Sometimes as long as 60 cm (2 ft), it can be polished and used as a handle for knives and other tools. It is also frequently sold as a souvenir to tourists by Alaska Natives, the only people permitted to hunt the walrus today.
Now how often do you get to use a word like that in a sentence?! I know Key Dear will get a kick out of this, having just gotten back from Alaska. I wish I had asked her to shop around for an oosik while she was in Ketchikan. Alas, maybe next year.
Meanwhile, this baby is going to the folks who run Ripley's Believe It Or Not, so look for it to be on display in a town near you! The auction listing from I.M. Chait Gallery looks interesting, they had lots of fun bits and pieces up for sale. Nothing I could afford, but interesting nonetheless.
oooosik --- ewwwweah-sick! lol
ReplyDeleteTHAT WAS very interesting and I'm sure Ripley's will enjoy having it, most likely in the Key West museum!!
And yes, I would have sought one out for you... what a conversation piece... I know Alaskan's give them as retirement gifts/gags. They are a fun group up there... I thought living in the Keys was interesting with all the stories... but up there, the stories are on a much grander scale!
I loved checking out the auction listing.. things I love for sure.
On another note... The status of being a sourdough of Alaska is loosing it's glamour... every 15 years they move up the status date... First being born there before 1959, then birth date anytime till present...then living there during and prior to 1959..then moved to the pipeline days and so on.. I do know that I'm a "sourdough" without question, and a honorary conch of 30 yrs on and off.. I've found myself betwen two VERY proud areas indeed. A conch and a hard place. """smiles"""