528 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



The inferior bi'ings of 

 this theocracy are far too 

 numerous for mention in this 

 place; but it may be observed 

 that divine rewards and 

 punishments are considered 

 to be meted out to a great 

 extent in the present; the 

 conception of the scheme of 

 future prizes and penalties 

 being but very imperfectly 

 grasped. Under the influ- 

 ence of Christianity all their 

 old-world beliefs are, of 

 course, rapidly passing into 

 oblivion, althougli some of 

 the names have been crystal- 

 lised by the missionaries 

 transferring them to the 

 Biblical powers of good and 

 evil. 



Formerly the Eskimo of 

 Greenland, as well as those 

 of other countries, had their 

 own national songs and 

 dances, which were used at 

 festivals; but these, too, have 

 been for the most part re- 

 placed by European substi- 

 tutes. From old sketches it 

 appears that at these festivals 

 a group was formed, in the 

 centre of which stood the 

 chief performer, who sang to 

 the accompaniment of a 

 drum, gesticulating and 

 dancing simultaneously. On some occasions the song was intended merely for the amusement 

 of the company, who probably moved round in a circle singing the refrain. On other occa- 

 sions a satirical or " nith-song " was chanted against a second performer, who was upbraided 

 for neglecting the kayak-hunt, or some other pursuit. 



Of other customs only a brief reference can be made to a few. Formerly the customary 

 salutation when two people met was by rubbing noses together; but in the Greenland 

 settlements, except to caress children, this practice has been entirely abandoned, and there is 

 noiv no national mode of salutation. Generally when a guest arrives at or leaves a house nothing 

 whatever is said, althougli occasionally the salutation iiiiivdltiarilze (live well) may be pronounced; 

 while a European .may be warned not to knock his head against the doorway (aporniakinatit), 

 Very curious is the reluctance of Greenlanders to pronounce their own names. When asked their 

 name, they generally get a comrade to answer the question. Amulets and magic spells (serratit) 

 were and are still held in great estimation; a curious circumstance being that the commonest 

 European articles, such as coffee-berries and scraps of newspapers, are frequently regarded as 

 the most effectual amulets or charms. 



From Piince Rolai:d llonaparle's VoUectton. 



A NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN CHIEF (PROFILE). 



