Blanket Toss

The blanket toss is a traditional event in some northern Indigenous cultures — especially among the Inuit and Inupiat peoples — that combines community, celebration, and skill.

Originally, the blanket toss had a practical purpose: it was used as a hunting technique. Hunters would be thrown into the air on a walrus-hide blanket so they could spot game, like seals or whales, from a higher vantage point across the flat Arctic landscape.

Today, it has become an important ceremonial and cultural event, often seen at festivals such as the Nalukataq (whaling festival). It celebrates successful hunts, expresses gratitude to the animals and the land, and strengthens community bonds. Participants are tossed into the air while others hold the blanket tight, symbolizing trust, teamwork, and shared joy.

Dimensions (Approx.)

16 x 14"

Artist: Jon Aisle

This item includes an info card