414 THE POINT HARROW KSKIMO. 



Dr. Simpson s description 1 of the standing of the women at Point 

 Barrow in his time is so true at the present day that I may be par 

 doned for quoting the whole of it: 



A man suonin to have unlimited authority in his own hut, but, as with few excep 

 tions his rule is mild, the domestic and social position of the wom en is one of com 

 fort and enjoyment. AH there is no affected dignity or importance in the- men, they 

 do not make mere slaves and drudges of the women ; on the contrary, they endure 

 their full share of fatigue and hardship in the coldest season of the year, only calling 

 in the assistance of the women if too wearied themselves to bring in the fruits of their 

 own industry and patience; and at other seasons the women appear to think it a pri 

 vation not to share the labors of the men. A woman s ordinary occupations are sew 

 ing, the preparation of skins for making and mending, cooking, and the general care 

 of the supplies of provisions. Occasionally in the winter she is sent out on the ice for 

 a seal which her husband lias taken, to which she is guided by his footmarks; and in. 

 spring and summer she takes her place in the boat if required. 



The statement in the first sentence that the husband s rule is mild is 

 hardly consistent with that on the following page that &quot; obedience 

 seems to be the great virtue required, and is enforced by blows when 

 necessary, until the man s authority is established.&quot; According to our 

 experience the first statement is nearer the truth. We heard of few 

 cases of wife-beating, and those chiefly among the younger men. Two 

 brothers, who habitually ill-treated their wives, were looked upon with 

 disfavor, by some of our friends at least. We heard of one case where 

 a stalwart wife turned the tables on her husband who attempted to 

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



Wife-beating was not uncommon among the Greenlanders. 2 We 

 did not learn whether a woman brought anything like a dowry, 

 but Simpson 3 says: &quot; The woman s property, consisting of her beads 

 and other ornaments, her needlecase, knife, etc., are considered her 

 own ; and if a separation takes place the clothes and presents are re 

 turned and she merely takes away with her whatever she brought.&quot; 

 According to Crantz 4 a widow in Greenland had no share of her hus 

 band s property, but owns only what she brought with her, and I am 

 inclined to believe that this is the case at Point Barrow. 



One widow of my acquaintance, who appeared to have no relatives 

 in the village, was reduced almost to beggary, though her husband had 

 been quite well-to-do. All his property and even his boy were taken 

 from her by some of the other natives. Widows who have well-to-do 

 relatives, especially grown-up sons, are well taken care of and often 

 marry again. According to Captain Parry, 5 unprotected widows were 

 robbed at Iglulik. 



Children. From the small number of births which occurred during 

 our stay at Point Barrow, we were able to ascertain little in regard to 

 this subject. When a woman is about to be confined, she is isolated in 



1 Op. cit., p 252. 



2 See Ejii de, p. 144, &quot; for according to them il signifies uolbiiig that a man beats biawife.&quot; 

 3 Op. cit., p 253. 



1 Vol. 1, ]&amp;gt;. 165. 



* Second Voyage, p. 522. 



