Each year the World Eskimo Indian Olympics are held in Alaska. They were first held in Fairbanks in 1961, and now alternate annually between Fairbanks and Anchorage. A little summary from their website gives background:
For time immemorial, Native peoples of the circumpolar areas of the world have gathered in small villages to participate in games of strength, endurance, balance, and agility. Along with these athletic games, dancing, story telling, and other audience participation games took place. This provided an opportunity for friendly competition, entertainment and laughter. The hosts provided food and lodging, and visitors brought news from surrounding villages and expanded opportunities for challenge building and renewing old and new friendships. This is the background of the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics and the atmosphere, which we seek to replicate.
The specific photo shown here is the Ear Pull, sort of like tug of war between two seated people, only using your ear and piece of twine. If it looks painful, that’s because it is. It is a game specifically geared for pain tolerance, an attribute essential to survival in the extreme arctic conditions. I have many photos on my website from the annual event: World Eskimo Indian Olympic photos
The Ear Pull, an event of pain endurance at the World Eskimo Indian OlympicsCanon 1Ds Mark II, 70-200mm f2.8L IS, 1/160 @f4.0, ISO 800
