Esquimaux occurs in the Jesuit report 1640.[1] From the presumably earlier form of the word Thalbitzer draws the conclusion that it is really identical with the French word excommuniqués. I have discussed this hypothesis with Mgr. Turquetil, who both as a native Frenchman and as a catholic prelate is specially qualified to pronounce judgment upon the question, but who describes this etymology as impossible, both linguistically and ecclesiastically. A heathen. people can never be described as excommunicated; this term can only be applied to people who belong to the church. When we furthermore see that [a'ski·maʷåk], singular ['askimau], is in fact used by the Cree and, in root and formation, is a genuine Indian word, whilst corresponding terms are used in other Algonkian dialects, there does not seem to be any reason for resorting to rather bold constructions.[2]
Another term for the Eskimos which is sometimes heard at Hudson Bay, is the half contemptuous "Husky". This is presumably an abbreviation of the word Eskimo, ornamented with a "Cockney h" under the influence of the adjective "husky".
In a political respect there are no tribes among the Eskimos, but there are certain local bands which regard themselves, and are so regarded by others, as a sort of unit, and it is these which in ethnographic literature appear as Eskimo "tribes". Perhaps as a consequence of the great uninhabited stretches on the Barren Grounds, perhaps owing to the levelling influence of European culture not having made itself felt much here, these groups of the Caribou Eskimos are of a much more distinctly outlined character than in Greenland. Thus there are two or three sub-divisions which are subordinate to the others and purely geographic, whereas others at any rate come near to expressing a conception that is more than this and, more or less consciously, comprises uniformity of dialect and culture. The linguistic and cultural differences are, however, so small that for this reason alone they do not form any foundation for a strongly developed feeling of independence, and even for these groups the term "tribe" is therefore more incorrect than correct. If only care is taken not to read anything in the nature of organisation or politics into the word, it can, however, in the absence of anything else, be used as a convenient term.
The Caribou Eskimos comprise the following "tribes": the Qaernermiut, Hauneqtôrmiut, Harvaqtôrmiut and Pâdlimiut. In culture
- ↑ Discourse of Western Plantation cit. Gosling 1910; 156. Vimont 1641; 128. Regarding the termination -quois compare contemporary French forms such as Abenaquiois (Wabanaki), Souriquois (Micmac), Iroquois, etc.
- ↑ I must add that Thalbitzer (1914; 680) again seems to entertain a doubt as to the correctness of his hypothesis. On the other hand he has repeated it recently in a chronicle in Politiken, August 31st, 1926.
