INNUIT CHARACTER CUSTOMS, ETC. 



569 



On Saturday, February 28, 1863, the infant son of Ebierbing 

 and Tookoolito died in New York, aged eighteen months. The 

 loss was great to both of them, but to the mother it was a terrible 

 blow. For several days after its death she was unconscious, and 

 for a part of the time delirious. When she began to recover from 

 this state she expressed a longing desire to die, and be with her 

 lost Tuk-e-lik-e-ta. The child was greatly beloved by both of the 

 parents. In truth — I must be allowed to diverge here for a mo- 

 ment—there was cause for their great affection, and reason for pe- 

 culiar grief on the part of the bereaved mother. I never saw a 

 more animated, sweet-tempered, bright-looking child. Its imita- 

 tiveness was largely developed, and was most engaging. Tuke- 

 liketa was a child to be remembered by all who ever saw him. 



For a certain length of time after a child is born the mother 

 must remain in her own home, visiting no other tupic or igloo. 

 The period for which this limitation holds good varies, sometimes 

 reaching to the length of two months. At the expiration of the 

 time she makes a round of calls at all the dwellings about, hav- 

 ing first changed all her clothing. She never touches again that 

 which she throws off on this occasion, and which she has worn 

 since the birth of the child. Another custom forbids the mother 

 to eat by herself for a year after the birth of the child. When 

 asked the reason of this, Tookoolito only said, " The first Innuits 

 did so." In respect to Innuit customs in general, it may be ob- 

 served that they are often adhered to from fear of ill report among 

 their people. The only -reason that can be given for some of the 

 present customs is that " the old Innuits did so, and therefore they 

 must." 



Another custom in relation to their females is this : 

 At certain periods separation igloos are built for them. The 

 woman must live secluded for so many days, and it would be a 

 great offense for her to enter into any other tupic or igloo during 

 this time. On one occasion, while on my sledge-journey in the 

 middle of Frobisher Bay, and at the place of the tenth and nine- 

 teenth encampments, I met Sampson, his wife, and family pro- 

 ceeding to another encampment. While I was talking with them 

 the wife asked me for something to eat. I was surprised at this, 

 for I knew that Sampson's family were generally well provided 

 with food. But an explanation followed. I was told that the In- 

 nuit custom is for females, at certain times, not to partake of cer- 

 tain kinds of Innuit food. In this case, Sampson's wife had been 



