The indigenous inhabitants of Alaska once known as Eskimos are part of the Inuit population, hardy hunters that originally lived in northern regions of the United States, Canada, Greenland, and Russia. Although their traditional way of life has been largely lost to more modern ways, the unwritten Eskimo legends and stories from earlier days were passed down through the years and now are being recorded by scholars.
'Inuit' means 'real people', and is the designation that is preferred by most present-day people who claim this heritage. 'Eskimo' was coined by American Indians who lived farther south and means 'raw meat eaters'. This refers to the fact that the people of the frozen tundra lived by hunting, their diet was almost exclusively meat, and fuel for fires was rare in this remote area.
Survival was never certain for the original settlers of the tundra. Modern times have seen disruption of the traditional way of life for the Inuit, with children educated in state schools, families living in modern housing, food coming from the grocery store, and snowmobiles replacing snowshoes and dog sleds. In the old days, hunters risked their lives to kill seals, whales, walrus, and even polar bears for food and warm clothing. Death from drowning, animal attack, starvation, illness, or old age infirmity was never far away.
Not all the houses were igloos. These were ice houses built for winter quarters, when sea and land were covered by ice and game was scarce. Other forms of housing included permanent stone huts and skin tents used during summer hunts.
Hunting was all-important. Like many other hunters, Eskimos believed that they should live in harmony with nature. All forms of life were believed to have souls; the sea, the mountains, and the sky harbored spirits; and the natives had reverence for everything around them. Many stories told around the campfire reflected the prowess of hunters and the willing sacrifice made by animals that gave their lives to feed the people.
Many a legend contains supernatural elements. Animals might really be spirit guides that speak to the heroes of legend. There were guardian spirits as well as malevolent ones. Ghosts and fantastic monsters played a part in the stories told during the long winter months. Offending a god or a spirit was a scary thought.
The legends reflect the harsh conditions of life near the Arctic Circle. The extended family was the basis of society and the main form of security. Being an orphan was a vast misfortune, and survival of those bereft of family was uncertain. Many great heroes began life as despised and mistreated orphans, shunned or barely tolerated. Hunting, hunger, and eating play a large part in these stories. Origin tales tell of the beginnings of sun, moon, stars, animals, and humans. Not all spirits were benign, and witchcraft was practiced and feared.
The Eskimo legends are not artistic or poetic, like the ballads of Greece or Rome or Norse folktales. Most European myths were re-written by gifted storytellers or set to music as ballads. The stories of the north are oral tales, and the direct translations are difficult to follow. Fortunately, there are scholarly summaries that make it easier to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of these grim tales.
'Inuit' means 'real people', and is the designation that is preferred by most present-day people who claim this heritage. 'Eskimo' was coined by American Indians who lived farther south and means 'raw meat eaters'. This refers to the fact that the people of the frozen tundra lived by hunting, their diet was almost exclusively meat, and fuel for fires was rare in this remote area.
Survival was never certain for the original settlers of the tundra. Modern times have seen disruption of the traditional way of life for the Inuit, with children educated in state schools, families living in modern housing, food coming from the grocery store, and snowmobiles replacing snowshoes and dog sleds. In the old days, hunters risked their lives to kill seals, whales, walrus, and even polar bears for food and warm clothing. Death from drowning, animal attack, starvation, illness, or old age infirmity was never far away.
Not all the houses were igloos. These were ice houses built for winter quarters, when sea and land were covered by ice and game was scarce. Other forms of housing included permanent stone huts and skin tents used during summer hunts.
Hunting was all-important. Like many other hunters, Eskimos believed that they should live in harmony with nature. All forms of life were believed to have souls; the sea, the mountains, and the sky harbored spirits; and the natives had reverence for everything around them. Many stories told around the campfire reflected the prowess of hunters and the willing sacrifice made by animals that gave their lives to feed the people.
Many a legend contains supernatural elements. Animals might really be spirit guides that speak to the heroes of legend. There were guardian spirits as well as malevolent ones. Ghosts and fantastic monsters played a part in the stories told during the long winter months. Offending a god or a spirit was a scary thought.
The legends reflect the harsh conditions of life near the Arctic Circle. The extended family was the basis of society and the main form of security. Being an orphan was a vast misfortune, and survival of those bereft of family was uncertain. Many great heroes began life as despised and mistreated orphans, shunned or barely tolerated. Hunting, hunger, and eating play a large part in these stories. Origin tales tell of the beginnings of sun, moon, stars, animals, and humans. Not all spirits were benign, and witchcraft was practiced and feared.
The Eskimo legends are not artistic or poetic, like the ballads of Greece or Rome or Norse folktales. Most European myths were re-written by gifted storytellers or set to music as ballads. The stories of the north are oral tales, and the direct translations are difficult to follow. Fortunately, there are scholarly summaries that make it easier to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of these grim tales.
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