VIII. 



It was in the year 1818 that the Polar Eskimos first entered 

 into the light of history, and important and interesting changes 

 in their culture have occurred since that time. As the years 

 which have been of special importance for the cultural history 

 of the Polar Eskimos, during the hundred years that have nearly 

 passed, may be named ca. 1862—1863, 1891, 1904 and 1909. 



At the date mentioned in the sixties the visiting Eskimos 

 from Ponds Inlet taught them the use of the forgotten apparatus 

 the kayak, the bow and arrow, as also the method of fishing 

 for salmon. 1891 was the year of Peary's first visit. In 1904 

 a Danish expedition showed tliem the way over the ice of 

 Melville Bay, and since then the Polar Eskimos annually make 

 trading visits to the Danish trading posts in the district of 

 üpernivik. In 1909 a permanent Danish Mission Station was 

 settled in their country. 



The history of the Polar Eskimos before 1818 is shrouded 

 in the deepest mystery. Where did they come from? What 

 other Eskimo tribe is their nearest kin? 



From the West Greenland Eskimos they have been separated 

 geographically and culturally, and they seem to be so even in 

 regard to physical type. The attitude of the two tribes towards 

 one another, which has been partly one of avoidance partly of 

 direct hostility, also shows that they have not maintained any 

 visiting or family relations with one another throughout the 

 years, but that they have ignored one another's existence if 

 they chanced to meet on the ice of Melville Bay. 



