Ethnological Sketch of the Angmagsalik Eskimo. 57 



there are comparatively extensive plains, there are said to have 

 been a number of reindeer in past times. The sheltering walls 

 used in the reindeer hunt can be seen to this very day, though in 

 a very ruined condition. The natives gave an exact description of 

 the appearance, habits, and hunting of the reindeer, musk-oxen, and 

 hares. An old man of the name of Ilinguaki told us that he had 

 an unsuccessful chase after a reindeer in his youth, that is about 

 fifty years ago. They also say that reindeer are to be found further 

 to the north alone the coast. 



IV. 



SOCIAL LIFE — FAMILY LIFE — BIRTH — CHILDHOOD 



MARRIAGE — DEATH. 



Social life. — To render assistance to housemates and nearest 

 of kin is for the Angmagsaliks the most binding and sacred of all 

 social duties. We cannot fail, in reading the following account, to 

 observe the existence of an unwritten social code, the authority of 

 which is tacitly acknowledged, while its transgression entails the 

 penalty of social dishonour. In many respects, indeed, this code 

 will be found to place for severer restrictions on the liberty of 

 individuals than the written laws of civilized communities. 



It has already been said that not more than a single house is 

 inhabited in each settlement. In one house half a score of families, 

 and several generations of each family, may be accommodated^). 

 Each house is under the rule of a head or chief; this function de- 

 volves on the eldest man, when he either is a skilful hunter him- 

 self, or has been so in the past and now has sons who have in- 

 herited his ability. Thus, for instance, in the house, at Norajik 

 authority was exercised by an old man, Milagtek (fig. 38), whom 

 old age had compelled to give up kaiaking and hunting. But he 

 had been a skilful huntsman in times gone by, and he had two 

 sons who were both clever at the chase. 



The position of the headman is perhaps based mainly on a 

 tacit acknowledgement of his authority, which is evinced by his 

 being regarded as host when strangers visit the house, and by the 

 fact that he determines the division and arrangement of the house. 



^) See the list of the inmates of the house in Tasiiisarsik facing fig. 3L 



