PAIXTIXGS OF GREEXLAXD ESKIMO 



ESKIMO CONCEPTION OF THE MOON, A 

 HUNTER IN PURSUIT OF THE SUN. 



Copyright 1908 hii Frank Wilhrrl Stokt; 

 Courtesy of Scribner's Mogazine. 



cloud that floats near her head. Summer birds are about lier, a long 

 line following from the far away horizon. Two fulmar gulls are flying 

 in front of her, and two harp seals are crying to her, the "Mother of 

 the Seals," from floating ice below, where also little Arctic puffins are 

 ranged in military line. 



The story of the pursuit of the sun by tlic moon is a legend widely 

 spread among the Eskimo people. The North ( iicciilMud "Eskimo 

 believe, as do all other lunuitfrom Alaska to Labrador and HafHii Laiab 

 that the sun was orio-inallv a woman, Sukh-eh-uukh, who in order to 

 escape the unfilial love of her brother, Ahn-iug-ah-ueh, fled into the 

 heavens bearing a lighted torch. The brotlicr also carrviui;- a torch 

 pursued her and was transformed into the moon. It is believetl that the 

 moon is forever in love with th(> sun and seeks ever to overtake her, i)ut 

 that since his torch chanced to be a i)oor one and he i> frc(|Ufnlly coiii- 

 pelled to return to earth to relight it, the sun is enabled to keej) weH in 



