51)6 THE CENTRA). ESKIMO. 



On tlu' wi'si slnjic of Hi dsou Bay dogs are not allowed to gnaw deer 

 bones (tiii-ini; the deer hunting season or seal bones during the seal- 

 ing season (Klutschak, p. 12o). Deer bones must not be broken while 

 walrus are hunted (Hall II, p. 155). 



When the men go out hunting in their kayaks the women of the 

 Aivillirmiut take a cup down to the shore and leave it there, believ- 

 ing that it will bring luck (Hall II, p. 103). On Davis Strait they 

 throw a piece of seal's blubber on their husband's kayak when he is 

 about to go hunting (Kumlien, p. 45). After the capture of a whale 

 the Aivillirmiut are not allowed to burn shrubs, but use bones of the 

 whale instead, which are mixed with blubber (Hall II, p. 364). If 

 an animal that is with young is killed the fetus must not be taken 

 and iised for food (Hall II, p. 253). When a bear is caught the Nugu- 

 miut and the Oqomiut are accustomed to fasten its bladder to a stick 

 which is placed upright near the hut or encampment for three days. 



When a house is deserted the Aivillirmiut are in the habit of 

 carrying all the bones lying inside to some distance and putting them 

 upon the ice (Hall II. p. 175). If they intend to move to a place 

 some distanci' nAvay iliey are in the habit of burying some of their 

 clothing. Klutscliak observed this custom among the Netchil- 

 lirmiut ; I myscll'. among the Akudnirmiut. If a great number of 

 families leave a village those who remain build new houses, as they 

 believe that they would otherwise have bad luck in hunting. 



A great number of regulations refer to the behavior of women 

 during menstruation. They are not allowed to eat raw meat, they 

 must cook in separate pots, and are not permitted to join in festivals, 

 being looked upon as unclean during this period. Customs referring 

 to childbirth and sickness will be found further on (see p. 609). 



When a traveling party visits a neighboring tribe it is obliged to 

 adopt the customs and regulations of the latter. 



This accoimt does not by any means include all the peculiar cus- 

 toms of these people, for they are so numerous and the difficulty of 

 finding out anything pertaining to this subject is so great that it is 

 probable that the greater part of them have escaped notice. 



I shall also mention a few customs that are peculiar to certain 

 places. At Qeqertelung, east of Naujateling, in Cumberland Sound, 

 the Eskimo dig potstone, but must biiy it from the rock : that is, 

 having dug out a piece, they must give the rock something in 

 exchange; for example, ivory carvings, beads, food, or the like. 



At Arligaulik, near Wager River, the Eskimo address a large rock 

 and bid it farewell when passing (Hall II, p. 174). 



In Cumberland Sound there is a cape called Iliqimisarbing, i. e., 

 the place of la'adsliaking. The place is very dangerous, as heavy 

 squalls swee]) down the steep rocks and slides frequently occur. 

 Therefore the natives never pass it withoul shaking their heads, at 

 the same time uttering a deep murmur. 



