The Caribou Eskimos/Part 1
REPORT OF THE FIFTH THULE EXPEDITION 1921–24
THE DANISH EXPEDITION TO ARCTIC NORTH AMERICA IN CHARGE
OF KNUD RASMUSSEN, PH. D.
VOL. V.
THE
CARIBOU ESKIMOS
MATERIAL AND SOCIAL LIFE AND THEIR CULTURAL POSITION
BY
KAJ BIRKET-SMITH
I.
DESCRIPTIVE PART
GYLDENDALSKE BOGHANDEL, NORDISK FORLAG
COPENHAGEN 1929
CONTENTS
| INTRODUCTION. | |||
| Methodological considerations, 10. Documentary evidence and criticism, 18. Phonetic writing, 27. | |||
| I. | GEOGRAPHICAL SURROUNDINGS AND NATURAL RESOURCES. | ||
| Situation. | |||
| Situation and boundaries, 29. Situation and the penetration of civilisation, 31. Situation and the pre-Columbian oecumene, 33. | |||
| The Country: General Survey. | |||
| Physiography, 38. Climate, 41. Vegetation, 42. Fauna, 43. | |||
| The Country: Seasonal Features. | |||
| Autumn, 47. Winter, 48. Spring, 51. Summer, 53. | |||
| II. | HABITATION AND DWELLINGS. | ||
| The Distribution of the Tribes. | |||
| Tribe-names and local groups, 58. Diffusion, 62. Number of population, 65. Density of population, 68. Settlements, 69. | |||
| Dwellings and their Arrangement. | |||
| General remarks, 75. Snow huts, 76. Shelters, 84. Tents. 84. Heating and lighting, 87. Furnishings, 93. | |||
| III. | ECONOMIC LIFE. | ||
| General Remarks. | |||
| The position of the means of subsistence, 95. Summary of hunting implements, 102. | |||
| Hunting of Land Animals. | |||
| Bow and arrow, 102. Caribou hunting, 106. Musk-ox hunting, 112. Furred animals, 112. Hunting small rodents, 114. Bird hunting, 114. | |||
| Fishing. | |||
| Introductory remarks, 117. Fishing in shallow water, 119. Fishing in deeper waters, 122. | |||
| Hunting Aquatic Mammals. | |||
| General remarks, 125. Ice hunting, 126. Hunting in open water, 130. | |||
| Collecting. | |||
| Food, 133. Water-carrying, 133. | |||
| Annual Rotation of Hunting. | |||
| The interior, 134. The coast, 136. | |||
| Food, Drink and Tobacco. | |||
| Food, 137. Flaying and cutting up, 139. Cooking and preserving, 141. Serving the food, 145. Drinks, 148. Tobacco, 148. | | ||
| IV. | COMMUNICATION. | ||
| Conditions and Consequences. | |||
| Motives and geographical conditions, 150. Geographical and astronomical knowledge, 153. Journeys and trade: Original state, 159. Journeys and trade: Intercourse with white men, 165. | |||
| Means of Conveyance. | |||
| Dogs, 170. Sledges and their appurtenances, 173. Snow-shoes, 183. Summer-journeys, 184. Kayaks and their fittings, 185. Travelling boats, 189. Sign language, 190. | |||
| V. | CLOTHING AND PERSONAL ADORNMENT. | ||
| Clothing in General. | |||
| Objects of Eskimo clothing, 191. Storing of clothing, 196. | |||
| Appearance of the Clothing. | |||
| Men's clothing, 199. Women's clothing, 213. Children's dress, 222. | |||
| Toilet and Ornaments. | |||
| Cleanliness, 223. Hairdressing. 224. Tattooing. 227. Ornaments, 229. | |||
| VI. | MANUFACTURES AND DECORATIVE ART. | ||
| Materials and Methods. | |||
| Materials, 231. Methods, 234. | |||
| Working in Hard Materials. | |||
| Stone, 236. Metal, 236. Wood and bone, 237. Joining of diverse materials, 240. | |||
| Skin Working. | |||
| Preparing skins, 240. Sinew thread, 247. Sewing, 247. Thongs, 251. | |||
| Decorative Art. | |||
| Principles of art, 252. Engraved ornaments, 254. Painted ornaments, 255. Bead embroidery, 255. | |||
| VII. | SOCIAL LIFE. | ||
| Social Organisation. | |||
| Differentiation within the community, 257. Customary laws, 260. | |||
| Daily Life. | |||
| Etiquette, 266. Every day and feast days, 267. Pastimes, 271. | |||
| Phases of Life. | |||
| Birth, 279. Naming, 282. Childhood, 288. Puberty, 292. Marriage, 292. Relationship, 295. Disease, 299. Death, 300. | |||