Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-22

proach. They coll themselves "Innuit," which
means "people"
The dolls of savagery have purpose very
different from those of civilization. They are
not merely playthings, but are the means by
which mothers teach their children domestic
arts The little girl has many important du-
ties to perform when she shall become woman.
She must learn to be a butcher. a tanner, fur
rler, clothier. hatmaker, q shoemaker. q
tentmaker. netmaker and harness maker
for dogs. All Of these things the Eskimo wife
must know how to do. In that arctic latitude
the night is six months long, and during that
long period OF darkness the people spend much
OF their time in making dolls While the fierce
storms howl without, the stone lamp swings in
the underground hut. The father Of the family
entities and csrves out implements Of the chase.
fercnance he has piece Of walrus tooth that 10
TOO small for harpoon head So he turns 1t
into doll, which he hands over to the mother
to be dressed.
The Eskimo are very fond Of children and
spend q good deal Of time in providing amuse-
ments for them. With her little girl at her
knee the mother takes bits Of fur of the fox,
the marten and the seal, cutting them out
with keeu-edged flint and sewing them to-
gether with bone needle and thread Of sinew.
1t is a domestic school OF household industry.
Mamma uses her front teeth for cutting threads
would be appropriate for, and SO by the time
she is middle-aged the incisors are worn down
nearly to the gums. BY and by the child will
be able to help in making garments for her
parents. Having learned all about dressing
and undressing dolls she will know how to per-
form like services for her own offspring when
she herself becomes mother. No delicacy il
felt about instructing her in the duties which
she must expect some day to fulfill. The Es-
kimo withhold no knowledge from their chill
dren on such grounds.
During the long winter night. in the inter-
walls of doll and implement manufacture, the
head OF the household busies himself in turn
ing out works of art. for the most part of ivory.
From the teeth of the walrus he carves all Of
the animals with which he is familisr-the
whale, the bear, the sea lion, the reindeer, the
otter, the seal and the walrus itself. Birds and
fishes are not neglected by his facile knife.
Whole hunting scenes he represents in the same
material with many pieces. Men in those frail
skin barks called 'kyaks'' are shown in pursuit
OF whales or seals, reindeer may be the OBJ
1ect OF the chase. Some Of these articles are
to be used as charms. but most Of them are de-
signed for barter with whaling and other YES
sells.
The Haida Indians Of Alaska are famous for
the excellence Of their art works. They make
beautiful dolls, and their children amuse them
selves by sending them out to sea in tiny dug
out canoes. The dolls Of the Zuni of Arizona
are utilized for the purpose Of teaching the
Children religion. They are dressed to repre-
sent priests and priestesses. Incidentally to
playing with them the children acquire
knowledge Of the ceremonials Of the tribe.
Rainmaking is at first q game with the email
boy. who may grow up some day to be . magi-
clan and rainmaker.