The Mukushan

The Labrador Innu Natuashish Sheshatshiu The Labrador Innu live in two communities in Labrador. The Innu are known as “The people of the Barrens” because of their traditional migrations through Labrador, which they call Nitissinan

The Mukushan The mukushan, pronounced mow-kaa-shawn, is a feast held annually to give thanks to the caribou spirits. The caribou spirit would determine if Innu hunters were successful when hunting for caribou, a staple in the Innu diet. ( Most Innu eat caribou at least once a day – even now)

The Mukushan… The feast involves taking the bones of the caribou, beating them to small pieces and cooking up the marrow and small bits of bone. The community elders, aged 60 and above, would prepare the bones in someone’s home. They use a heavy weight and a rock to smash the bones open, then they boil what’s left over for three days

The Mukushan… In this picture, Anne and Alison hit the bones with a heavy Weight to turn them into a pulpy texture The Bones The weight and rock The couch!

The Mukushan… In this picture, Anne, is pounding the bones against a rock to pulverize it

The Mukushan… Pulverized Bones Bone waiting to be crushed

The Mukushan… These are pieces of caribou meat, fat and organs that will be used to make the Mukushan to give it flavor.

The Mukushan… The bones and marrow are cooked for 3 days until it is eaten. Anne and Alison are stirring the Mukushan

The Mukushan… A small pot of the bone and marrow mixture that will be eaten at the feast. Anyone want to taste??

The Mukushan… The Elders dance prior to the feast

The Mukushan… And then we eat…..