Among the Eskimos

For the larger part, in North America, the people of our own country are mainly Europeans or of European descent. In the northmost part of the continent live the Eskimo. We shall speak about the Eskimos.

This book deals with the history of their habits and religious beliefs.

The mythological explanation of all the prevailing customs in regard to sea-mammals is contained in a tale which describes their origin: "A girl named Avilayuk refused all her suitors, and for this reason she was also called 'She who does not want to marry.' There was a stone near the village where she lived. It was speckled white and red. The stone transformed itself into a dog and took the girl to wife. She had many children, some of whom became the ancestors of various fabulous tribes. The children made a great deal of noise, which annoyed Avilayuk's father, so that he finally took them across the water to a small island. Every day the dog swam across to the old man's hut to get meat for his family. His wife hung around his neck a pair of boots that were fastened to a string. The old man filled the boots with meat, and the dog took them back to the island. One day, while the dog was gone for meat, a man came to the island in his kayak and called the young woman. 'Take your bag and come with me,' he shouted..."

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