GILBERTSON: ESKIMO CULTURE 79 



We have already shown that in the matter of contracting 

 marriage, the choice or consent of the female is not an alto 

 gether unknown factor. As to divorce, her rights are the same 

 as those of the man. The personal property she brings with 

 her at marriage remains hers inviolate during and after the 

 union. 



As to the husband s power over her person, Rink says &quot;the 

 husband had the right of punishing his wife by striking her 

 in the face with just sufficient force to leave visible traces.&quot; 

 (53:25.) Boas^to the contrary, speaking of the Central Es 

 kimo, holds that &quot;the husband is not allowed to maltreat or 

 punish his wife.&quot; (5:579.) The real state of affairs is prob 

 ably that there are no &quot;rights&quot; one way or the other. Wife- 

 beating is often indulged in (6:298, 538; 42:414; 20:123, 

 195; 30:102; 1.1:307; 50:55) and as we shall see presently, 

 she reciprocates if she can. If either party doesn t like the 

 treatment he or she is free to leave. There certainly is no legal 

 machinery by which either sex can enforce its &quot;rights.&quot; It is 

 a principle among the Eskimo not to interfere in domestic 

 broils (50:56; 30:102), except in cases where relatives may side 

 with the wife. (50:61.) But they too may stand idly by, like 

 the man, who, when Rasmussen appealed to him to help his 

 own sister, replied that &quot;women must be punished occasionally 

 to make them obedient.&quot; (50:56.) 



But, as has been already hinted, the story is not all on one 

 side. A case reported by Murdoch is not unique: &quot;a stalwart 

 wife turned the tables on her husband who attempted to abuse 

 her, giving him a thorough beating and then leaving his house. 

 (42:414.) Peary speaks of a woman who &quot;proved her right 

 to independence by blackening the old man s eye.&quot; (48:60.) 

 Amundsen tells of a couple, the female partner of which was 

 &quot;the biggest and strongest lady of the tribe.&quot; &quot;This was a 

 typical happy marriage, she reigned absolute and he obeyed 

 blindly.&quot; (1.1:307-8.) Rasmussen witnessed a battle between 

 a man and his wife. &quot;Women s whims! It is quite amusing 

 to cure them of them!&quot; shouted the man. &quot;Like a flash of 

 lightning she sprang at him and struck him such a violent blow, 

 that he fell down with a howl.&quot; This caused exceeding mer 

 riment all through the village. &quot;The strong man has been 

 knocked down by a woman. Fancy! Ere was thrown by his 

 wife pfui, by a woman!&quot; (50:58; cf. 30:97.) 



