Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-09-12
HOW The eskIMos LIVE.
They Are Uncivilized, but They Can
Give Points to Many "a Civilian.

Give Points to Many civilian.
D A very pleasant and openhearted pee
pie are these Cape York Eskimos. On
wonld expect to find them gloomy an,
. unhappy, like the icy Businesses of thei
native Greenland. Their frame of mind
! ON the contrary. is very different. Whei
they first sighted the Kite from thei
hillside tents they gave her a joyous
greeting. "Kymo! Kymop or some
thing resembling that word, they shouted
in hearty tones. They seemed to have
no fear that the visit of strangers BODIED
them i'll.
All the time aboard the ship they were
smiling and laughing. These people
have never had any Christian teachings,
and almost the only white men they ever
see are the whalers. Yet they are
scrupulously honest. In trading with
around among them needles, knives and
many articles as precious to them as
diamonds to an American. Everything
was returned.
All the men aboard the ship who had
been whaling declared that no Yak had
| ever been known to take anything that
was not his. The whole forty-eight
people swarmed over the vessel for two
days and not single article was missed.
1t was very different in the Danish
settlements There everything was tied
up or slowed below as soon as any Es-
kimo came aboard.
There was only one thing that could
have been construed into theft at Cape
York. A Yak walked into the cooks
galley and grabbed a piece Of bacon
from the pan and devoured it. In their
settlements, however. the food appeared
to be common property rule which
may prevail during prosperity II was
noticed that they brought aboard birds
and blubber for sustenance while they
remained on the ship, but it did not
seem to be the exclusive property of any
one. Whoever was hungry helped him
self
Looking at these Eskimos, who are en-
tirely beyond the influence of civiliza-
ton. who live, rs one might say, ''on
their own hook" one Is tempted to ask |
whether the Danish rule is such bene- |
ficent thing for the drcenlanders far
Their south. There does not seem to be |
30 much happiness in the latter quarter.
The only advantage possessed by the
Danish Eskimo Is that he has better
market for his goods. A few hundred
years Of civilization have not done much
else for him, except to give him u liberal
strain of European blood.
What these Cape York Eskimos need
In material way is wood, and per-
haps guns and powder. Civilization can
do little else for them. No signs of q
rebellion could DO seen, but they evil
IDENTIFY have traditions, snperstitions, and
perhaps god, for all their affairs are
well regulated
In the mob Of forty-eight people, all
bargaining, there was no instance of an
Eskimo coyeting any article secured
by one of his fellows, nor was there
single dispute ms to property. On no oc-
casion, as far AZ seen, did any Eskimo
lose his or her temper.
The husband and wife seemed to have
separate property. All was not owned
by the man. Sometimes wife went
ashore TO get fresh articles of trade be-
longing to her husband but on her re-
turn she would never part with them,
however tempting IN offer was made,
until abe consulted him. Her own pos
sessions, however, such as bone needles,
thimbles, necklaces. etc. she sold with
out consulting him. The bargaining of
the children for their toys was not inter
fered with in the least by the old people.
The couples are very fond of each
other aud are tremendously proud Of
their children. Herald.