Evening star., 1923-05-06

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the latter determines what shall be
the status of their relations. When
called upon to be sharp trader. the
Eskimo, il hard pressed and of the
opinion that he is being given the
unfair end of deal, may turn out
to be no mean trader himself.
Their habitatious are most inter-
esting. In former times several fam
lilies dwelt in large underground
homes which were entered through
long, low tunnels. The ventilation
was through IL smoke hole in the
roof Around the walls were sleeping
platforms, curtained off from the rest
of the house, and in these compart-
ments much of the time was spent
during the coldest weather.
The present type of house is pat
termed after those of related tribes on
the Siberian coast. The home Is en-
tirely above ground and is con-
structed of driftwood and wreckage,
rooted over with waIrus hides. In
side of this house and entirely sepa-
rated from it's walls is built Il smaller
house called an ogent. The walls ana
roof are of walrus hides over q frame
of driftwood. The, front is closed
with a. curtain of reindeer skins in
which there are two or three small
holes, near the top, for ventilation
These, however are generally kept
closed. The ogent is heated with
blubber lamps which burn with
clear. steady. intensely hot flame.
MI. in
NAV run between 50 and 100 degrees
one enters without announcing him-
self and removes his clothing in order
TO remain comfortable.
x x 4 <
TN one such house may live two or
i three generations of males with
collateral male relatives and their
wives and children. Privacy is i'm
possible.
In the home. as in the hunt. the St
Lawrence Eskimo has learned the
value of cooperation. III his buying
and selling. he has learned its value
in dealing with the outside world.
When big game is killed--a whale.
for example-every man on the beach
when the whale is towed in, is en-
titled to q share. He is expected to
assist in landing and carving the
carcass and none may deter him from
assisting and claiming his share. 1t
is right that no one may dispute
or withhold
In this day of feminism, ones in
terest cannot but be directed toward
the fair sex and no doubt already the
,lny tr,er 70
and habits of the female of the species
are TO be touched upon. The Eskimo
housewife is really an efficient work
err She is cook. tanner, bootmaker,
tailor. basketmaker and potter. be-
sides being a good mother.
Esk kimo cooking, like most of the
cookery of primitive peoples. is sim
Pile. and crude. 1t is done in clay
pot of the woman's own making, hung
over a clay lamp shaped by her own
hands.
But what of the dresses One can
hear that question being uttered at
this. very moment. Skins of seal.
reindeer and sea birds of many vari-
cites. and the intestines of the sea
mammals are beautifully tanned and
made into garments such as might
provoke the envy of any lady deSir-
ing to dress herself most exquistely,
but most of the time these fine furs
are covered with snow shirts of
calico or ticking purchased from
traders. These are worn to protect
the garments underneath.
The women sew toward them.
wearing the thimble upon the index
finger. They sit upon the floor with
legs .eXtended and often hold their
sewing between their crossed feet
The thread is made of shredded sinew
spun by twisting upon the wrist or
cheek.
In making boots. the housewife or
daughter shapes the soles of seal or
young walrus hide with her teeth. and
the beautiful. even rows of tooth
marks on the edge of a boot bottom
are among the signs of good work.
manShip.
The women on st. Lawrence island
are as free as are women anywhere
on earth. They are loved. respected
and we'll treated by their husbands.
who appreciate the value of a good
wife. To be sure. wives are often
traded for short or long periods by