Musk oxen are ancient Arctic mammals, recognized by their shaggy coats and prominent horns. These animals have adapted to harsh northern environments, developing characteristics that have made them valuable resources for human communities. From their insulating underwool to their nourishing meat and other body parts, musk oxen have historically supported human endeavors in the Arctic.
The Prized Qiviut Fiber
Qiviut, pronounced “kiv-ee-ute,” is the soft, downy underwool of the musk ox, found beneath its longer outer guard hairs. This fiber is valued for its properties, being eight times warmer than sheep’s wool by weight and softer than cashmere. Unlike sheep’s wool, qiviut does not shrink when washed and is non-felting, making it a durable material for garments. Its smooth fibers also lack the barbs found in wool, making it non-irritating and hypoallergenic, suitable for sensitive skin.
Musk oxen naturally shed their qiviut each spring, between April and May. This shedding allows for collection by gently combing the animals, particularly from captive herds, or by gathering wool shed on the tundra. An adult musk ox can produce approximately 1.8 to 3.2 kilograms (4 to 7 pounds) of qiviut annually. After collection, the raw qiviut undergoes a labor-intensive cleaning and dehairing process to remove guard hairs and debris, ensuring only the fine underwool remains for spinning into yarn.
This rarity and demanding processing contribute to qiviut’s high cost, often making it more expensive than cashmere. It is primarily used to create luxury items such as scarves, hats, and other garments worn close to the body. The commercial production of qiviut has created economic opportunities, particularly for Indigenous communities in Alaska and Canada, where organizations like the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers’ Cooperative have sold qiviut knit goods and provided supplemental income since the 1960s.
Meat as a Resource
Musk ox meat has been a significant food source for Indigenous communities across the Arctic for centuries. Its nutritional profile makes it valuable in harsh northern environments. Musk ox meat is a source of protein, which helps build and repair tissues. It also provides iron, important for healthy blood, and various B vitamins that support growth and nerve function.
Compared to other common meats like beef, pork, or chicken, musk ox meat is lean, containing a lower fat content, around 17%. Despite its leanness, the fat present in musk ox meat is a source of vitamin D, which supports bone health, especially in regions with limited sunlight. Traditional practices often involved consuming various parts of the animal, including the fat, bone marrow, tongue, and heart, to maximize nutritional intake.
While historically a subsistence food, modern commercial harvesting and consumption of musk ox meat occurs. The animals are wild-roaming, feeding on natural vegetation, which contributes to the meat’s lean texture and distinctive flavor. Hunting is managed through quota systems to ensure the sustainability of musk ox populations, allowing communities to continue this traditional use.
Traditional and Other Products
Beyond qiviut and meat, musk oxen have provided Indigenous peoples with other valuable resources. The hides, with their long, coarse outer hairs and dense underfur, were historically used to create warm blankets, robes, and bedding, offering insulation in cold climates. These hides also served as materials for constructing shelters and as runners for sleds. The durability and warmth of musk ox hides made them a commodity in trade during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Musk ox bones and horns were repurposed into tools and decorative items. Horns, composed of keratin, were carved into practical objects such as ladles, spoons, and blubber pounders. They were also fashioned into hunting implements like bows and leisters for fishing. Bones, being denser, were suitable for crafting harpoons, tool handles, arrow points, and ice chisels. These uses demonstrate the utilization of every part of the musk ox by Arctic communities.