Smoked Shark

Amongst Talfaltan folk, hunting a shark is a courtship requirement. Not only for the teeth, which are made into wedding necklaces and arrowheads, but to show an intended bride’s family a man’s bravery, strength and ability to provide.

When a suitor presents a shark and his kill accepted by the bride, her family will prepare it for curing. The flesh will be sliced into thick slabs to then be buried within a pot full of sea salt, which is covered and weighed down to force as much moisture from the flesh as possible. It stays this way for roughly a month, depending on the shark’s size.

Afterwards, it is grilled above a fire of wood chips and dried seaweed for a few weeks before being hung in the bride family’s cabin. It stays there until the couple are considered a true pairing, then is divided amongst the bride’s family.