Kiviak facts for kids
| Alternative names | Kiviaq |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Greenland |
| Main ingredients | Little auk |
Kiviak (sometimes spelled kiviaq) is a very old and traditional food from Greenland. It is made by the Inuit people, who have lived in the Arctic for a long time. This special dish helps them get through the cold winter months. Kiviak is made by fermenting small birds called little auks inside a seal skin.
Contents
How Kiviak is Made
Making Kiviak is a unique process that takes several months. It's a way of preserving food for the long Arctic winter.
Preparing the Birds
First, many whole little auks are gathered. These are small seabirds that live in the Arctic. Up to 500 of these birds are used for one batch of Kiviak. The birds are placed inside a seal skin. Their beaks and feathers are kept on.
Sealing the Skin
After the birds are inside, as much air as possible is squeezed out of the seal skin. This is very important for the fermentation process. The skin is then sewn up tightly. To make sure no air gets in, it is sealed with seal fat. This fat also helps keep flies away.
Fermentation Process
Once sealed, the filled seal skin is hidden in a large pile of stones. A heavy rock is placed on top of the pile. This helps to keep the air out even more. The birds then ferment inside the skin for about three months. This natural process changes the birds into Kiviak.
When Kiviak is Eaten
Kiviak is usually eaten during the cold Arctic winter. It is a special food often served at important events. People enjoy Kiviak at birthdays and weddings. It is a very important part of Inuit culture and traditions.
Kiviak in Media
The unique way Kiviak is made has been shown on television. In 2011, the process was featured in an episode of the BBC show Human Planet. This helped people around the world learn about this traditional Arctic food.
Important Safety Note
It is very important to make Kiviak correctly. In August 2013, some people in Siorapaluk, Greenland, became very sick. They had eaten Kiviak that was made with a different type of bird, called an eider, instead of little auks. Eider birds do not ferment in the same way as auks. Eating Kiviak made from eider can cause serious food poisoning, like botulism. This shows how important it is to use the correct ingredients and follow the traditional methods carefully.
Images for kids
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Robot for kids
See also
In Spanish: Kiviak para niños
