kuspuk

[ kuhs-puhk ]

noun

1. a cloth garment traditionally worn by aboriginal Alaskans over the parka.
2. a parka of lightweight cloth, worn especially by Alaskan women and children in summer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kuspuk¹

From the Yupik word qaspeq

Example Sentences

One of the guests admired her cloth kuspuk, a traditional Alaska Native garment similar to a smock, and wanted to know if it was water resistant.

From Washington Times

“Mary is a woman whose heart is as grounded in Alaska as anybody you’re going to find,” Murkowski told reporters after the event, wearing a gold-colored, paisley-patterned kuspuk, common Alaska Indigenous clothing Peltola gave her last year.

From Washington Post

She was wearing a hand-stitched whaling crew kuspuk — a pullover with stars and burgundy piping around its front pocket.

From Washington Post

Adrienne Aakaluk Titus says her son was told prior to commencement that he would have to remove a kuspuk he wore with his graduation robe.

From Washington Times

Adrienne Aakaluk Titus says her son was told prior to commencement that he would have to remove a kuspuk he wore with his graduation robe.

From Seattle Times