Friday, May 22, 2009

excerpts from Jean L. Briggs's 1970 "Never In Anger: Portrait of an Eskimo Family"

"It was some days before I made the happy discovery that the Eskimos themselves rarely adapted their activities to the presence of a visitor.  They exchanged smiles with a visitor when he appeared, and talked a bit now and again if there was something to talk about.  Eventually, if the visitor stayed long enough, as he usually did, the hostess would probably serve a kettle of tea.  But for the most part the visitor either spontaneously joined the family's activities or sat quietly on the periphery, ignored, to my foreign eye.  If the host had business elsewhere he simply announced the fact and went out, whereupon it was incumbent upon the guest to leave also.
My neighbors were the most benign and considerate of visitors.  ... The eskimos, unlike these others, never begged, never demanded.  They frequently offered to trade bone toys for tobacco or for bits of my carefully hoarded food supplies, but they rarely complained of the amounts I gave them.  They were never noisy or obtrusive; they just sat, quiet and observant, around the edges of my tent.  If, out of concern for my dwindling tea and kerosene supplies, I let them sit unfed for more than two or three hours, one of the adults might remark on the warming qualities of tea or, more indirectly still, ask if my water supply was low and offer to replenish it."  (26)

(On iglus)  "'Snow' falls also from the canvas roof; the steam from the boiling tea collects there and freezes into long frost-feathers which precipitate in fine, cold prickles on one's face as the dwelling cools.
The Eskimos accept these minor annoyances with equanimity.  They agree that it is unpleasant (hujuujag, not quvia) to be cold and wet, but what can one do (ayuqnaq)?  So when a sudden rain makes a sieve of the canvas roof they laugh: 'We are wet like dogs.'" (31)

"For several days we moved camp at least once a day and sometimes oftener, and always when the water had arrived within inches of our doorsteps.  Once as we were setting up the tents for the third or fourth time, I asked the friend who was helping me: 'Does the water come up this high?' (I indicated the spot where we were placing the tents.)  'Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't,' was the reply."  (33)

"One such evening I observed to Inuttiaq that the dogs, who were chained to boulders at the water's edge, were going to get wet during the night.  'Yes, they are,' he said.  And sure enough, in the morning several dogs were standing belly-deep in the flood, their noses pointed stiffly skyward."  (34)

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.kfarbair.com][img]http://www.kfarbair.com/_images/logo.png[/img][/url]

מלון [url=http://www.kfarbair.com]כפר בעיר[/url] - [url=http://www.kfarbair.com/about.html]חדרים[/url] גדולים אנו מספקים שירותי אירוח מגוונים כמו כן ישנו במקום שירות חדרים הכולל [url=http://www.kfarbair.com/eng/index.html]סעודות רומנטיות[/url] במחירים מיוחדים אשר יוגשו ישירות לחדרכם...

לפרטים אנא גשו לאתר האינטרנט שלנו - [url=http://kfarbair.com]כפר בעיר[/url] [url=http://www.kfarbair.com/contact.html][img]http://www.kfarbair.com/_images/apixel.gif[/img][/url]

Anonymous said...

xxx personals galleries [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]adult abacus dating[/url] headline news speed dating for rich men http://loveepicentre.com/ amaeuteur dating

Anonymous said...

vagina labia big reason oral medical [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/extreme-thyrocin.htm]extreme thyrocin[/url] mental health patient surveys http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/levitra-professional.htm the prospect of using alternative medical care facilities http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/serophene.htm
catalytic converters and drugs [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zanaflex.htm]zanaflex[/url] dms health group [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/ayuda-para-dormir.htm]how to smoke keif[/url]

Anonymous said...

moore medical supplies company [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/erectile-dysfunction.htm]erectile dysfunction[/url] sinus infection and dizziness http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cipro.htm male enhancement erection medicine http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/xenical.htm
potassium and blood pressure [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zestril.htm]zestril[/url] liquid soy milk without calcium carbonate [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/hypnotherapy.htm]placental cord blood banking importance[/url]

Anonymous said...

i get a erection very fast and easily how do i stop it [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/atrovent.htm]atrovent[/url] vitamin pill containers http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/generic-keflex.htm christian alternative health insurance http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-allergique-et-l-asthme.htm
drug alcohol innovative interventions [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/brand-viagra.htm]brand viagra[/url] smoking and who its bad for you [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ed-discount-pack-3.htm]pregnancy risk factor heart medicine[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://meen.in/carvedilol/carvedilol-cautions
[url=http://meen.in/famvir/famvir-500mg]montana drug free workplace policy[/url] legalizing all drugs [url=http://meen.in/feldene/ingredients-of-feldene]ingredients of feldene[/url]
rash from statin drugs http://meen.in/esomeprazole/esomeprazole-magnesium-generic
[url=http://meen.in/erythromycin/does-erythromycin-treat-syphilis]hollywood drug addicts[/url] pharmacy jobs at wake med [url=http://meen.in/cholesterol/honey-nut-cheerios-cholesterol]honey nut cheerios cholesterol[/url]
liquid cialis proper dosges http://meen.in/felodipine/what-class-of-drug-is-felodipine
[url=http://meen.in/cleocin/cleocin-pediatric]comparison viagra levitra cialis[/url] canon tx 1 london drugs [url=http://meen.in/erythromycin/how-does-erythromycin-kill-bacteria]how does erythromycin kill bacteria[/url] sugar substitutes health [url=http://meen.in/erection/black-beaded-silicone-male-ring-erection-aid]black beaded silicone male ring erection aid[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://poow.in/levonorgestrel/levonorgestrel-causes-acne-breakouts
[url=http://poow.in/metaxalone/metaxalone-itchy]cialis uk suppliers[/url] cialis recreational gay [url=http://poow.in/mestinon/mestinon-effect-on-emg]mestinon effect on emg[/url]
norvasc cialis http://poow.in/levonorgestrel/quantification-of-levonorgestrel
[url=http://poow.in/metformin/metformin-poisoning]mamc drive thru refill pharmacy location[/url] illegal drug use in pregnancy [url=http://poow.in/medrol/medrol-diphenhydramine-and-catscan]medrol diphenhydramine and catscan[/url]
history of psychiatric drugs http://poow.in/geodon/geodon-10ml
[url=http://poow.in/methocarbamol/methocarbamol-overdose]easy at home drug detox[/url] government drug program [url=http://poow.in/maxalt/maxalt-interaction]maxalt interaction[/url] drugs covered on medicaid [url=http://poow.in/mefenamic/adverse-effects-of-mefenamic-acid]adverse effects of mefenamic acid[/url]

Anonymous said...

chemical free travel trailers http://livetravel.in/airlines/gmg-airlines travel to the virgin islands
[url=http://livetravel.in/airport/airport-one-west-palm-beach-florida]sather travel salem oregon[/url] drive travel trips [url=http://livetravel.in/hotel/dfw-to-lga-flight-hotel-deals]dfw to lga flight hotel deals[/url]
adventure world cruise travel http://livetravel.in/plane-tickets/pittsburgh-plane-tickets
[url=http://livetravel.in/tour/eagles-1977-tour-dates]digital scrapbooking embellishments travel[/url] coach travel and ticket and uk [url=http://livetravel.in/adventure/tiso-adventure-holidays]tiso adventure holidays[/url]
smart travel agency cincinnati http://livetravel.in/tour/nz-tour
[url=http://livetravel.in/airlines/american-airlines-admirals-club]best travel days for lowest fares[/url] travel package from malaysia to bangkok [url=http://livetravel.in/airport/xsp-airport]xsp airport[/url] travel tips china cell phone [url=http://livetravel.in/hotel/west-end-hotel-mumbai-deals]west end hotel mumbai deals[/url]
womens travel backpacks [url=http://livetravel.in/motel/sun-beach-motel-ocean-city-nj]sun beach motel ocean city nj[/url]
london to glasgow discount air travel http://livetravel.in/expedia/expedia-car-rental
[url=http://livetravel.in/map/map-of-antilles]market place travel ca[/url] cheap excess insurance no travel [url=http://livetravel.in/cruises/cruises-on-west-coast-of-united-states]cruises on west coast of united states[/url]
[url=http://livetravel.in/cruises/cruises-leaving-from-louisiana]cruises leaving from louisiana[/url] hawaii travel cheap [url=http://livetravel.in/expedia/expedia-stinky-marker-commercial]expedia stinky marker commercial[/url] travel athens to croatia [url=http://livetravel.in/expedia/discount-travel-cheap-flights-expedia-travel-disco]discount travel cheap flights expedia travel disco[/url]
going places travel agency in barbados [url=http://livetravel.in/tourism]tourism[/url]

Anonymous said...

maggie sweet fashions http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=1944 the christmas shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/34-roberto-cavalli-size25.html]resort clothes[/url] lauren bernat
http://topcitystyle.com/men-page11.html lauren denean joseph [url=http://topcitystyle.com/leopard-tunic-color176.html]how to remove chewing gum from clothes dryer[/url]

Anonymous said...

mobile voice control http://www.orderphonetoday.com/page3.html free download mp3 of shayne ward breathless for my mobile [url=http://www.orderphonetoday.com/e2-quad-band-dual-card-with-bluetooth-unlocked--item87.html]tallhouse mobile home park crownpoint nm[/url] discount mobile home furnace

Anonymous said...

classic boys shoes http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=939 old fashioned pendant lamp shades [url=http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=2551]mens comfort shoes[/url] tv video chanel
http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=947 infant white lace shoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/prada-leather-shoes-brand10.html]nfl baby clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

finish line shoes online http://luxefashion.us/sky-blue-tops-shirts-with-colar-color96.html ralph lauren the big shirt [url=http://luxefashion.us/navy-blue-and-white-dolce-amp-gabbana-color171.html]what fashion house designed the infamous dress that jennifer lopez rocked on the red carpet[/url] chanel eye shadow quad demure
http://luxefashion.us/-stretch-jeans-new-category80.html designer lampwork beads [url=http://luxefashion.us/burberry-casual-jacket-for-men-black-item2479.html]arley home fashions[/url]

Anonymous said...

health clubs for sale in beaver dam wisconsin [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/apcalis-sx.htm]apcalis sx[/url] pharmacy program http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/emsam.htm
strong green tea [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/singulair.htm]singulair[/url] biggest drug bust in nyc [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/epivir.htm ]kentucky pharmacy infusion [/url] latest date to get ma health insurance
drug detection dogs [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/viagrx.htm]viagrx[/url] breast ultrasound screening http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-allergic-asthma.htm
factors health care cost [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/rogaine-2-.htm]rogaine 2 [/url] pervasive speech disorder [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/tos.htm ]goodpasteurs syndrome [/url] osteoporosis as a genetic disorder

Anonymous said...

indian wedding clothes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/s-tops-shirts-with-colar-size10.html interior designer pillows [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/26-stretch-jeans-size19.html]replica designer handbag[/url] make your own brake shoes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/emporia-armani-jeans-for-women-denim-blue-item2347.html dress designer michaelangelo [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/dark-brown-new-color29.html]make shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

how to win pick 3 lottery http://lwv.in/baccarat/online-video-baccarat-casino casinos in belgium
[url=http://lwv.in/bingo/bingo-dog-song]taho casino map[/url] sign up bonus free online baccarat [url=http://lwv.in/bingo/play-bingo-online-no-deposit]play bingo online no deposit[/url]
cadillac jack video gambling cheats http://lwv.in/keno/play-keno-online
[url=http://lwv.in/slots/double-bucs-slots]gulf shores casino[/url] lottery programming [url=http://lwv.in/joker/joker-painter]joker painter[/url]
gambling trivia http://lwv.in/blackjack/top-casinos-blackjack-cards yahoo internet lottery [url=http://lwv.in/lottery/ga-land-lottery-maps-gwinnett]ga land lottery maps gwinnett[/url]

Anonymous said...

gamers movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_man_from_earth/]the man from earth[/url] naruto shippuuden the movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_pin/ movie theater sex
transformers the movie candy [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_terror_at_baxter_u/]terror at baxter u[/url] freefull porn movie download http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_how_i_met_your_mother/ washington movie theaters
frequency movie reviews [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_phantom_creeps/]the phantom creeps[/url] watch the gate movie online
bhool bhulaiya or jab we met online to watch full movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_eleventh_hour/]the eleventh hour[/url] free porn movie passes http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_babylon_5_a_call_to_arms/ movie bittorrent
apple movie player [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_gossip_girl/]gossip girl[/url] movie lolita http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_fanny_hill/ movie the messenger

Anonymous said...

dvd shemale sex movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_dr_phibes_rises_again/]dr phibes rises again[/url] movie snoop http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_dirty_dancing_havana_nights/ blueridge movie theater
indian songs from the movie guide [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_marsh/]the marsh[/url] jayne kennedy home movie http://moviestrawberry.com/hqmoviesbycountry/country_yugoslavia/ free movie ftp sites
platoon movie cover [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_double_team/]double team[/url] bondage movie
movie title apple [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_i_really_hate_my_job/]i really hate my job[/url] long free asian fuck quicktime movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_happily_never_after_2/ sexual intercourse movie
movie the promise political [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_piranha_70/]piranha 70[/url] tools in movie maker http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_wooden_horse/ facing the giants movie review

Anonymous said...

the sandlot movie soundboard [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_cake_eaters/]the cake eaters[/url] gathering movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_saw_v/ pretty peaches porn movie
future movie dates [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_in_like_flint/]in like flint[/url] lengthy movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_empty_acre/ attonement movie
free 18 movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_2001_a_space_odyssey/]2001 a space odyssey[/url] download free movie trailers
elephant and bowling for movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_privates_on_parade/]privates on parade[/url] reconciliation movie theme film http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_good_dick/ the movie the kingdom
zathura movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_hobbit/]the hobbit[/url] soft porn movie clips http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_olympic_champ/ body double the movie

Anonymous said...

no where to hide movie wih clifton powell [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_deck_the_halls/]deck the halls[/url] listing of amc movie theatres http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_black_balloon/ fetish lingerie movie
lisa sparxx free gangbang movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_plutopia/]plutopia[/url] twilite zone the movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_van_wilder_2_the_rise_of_taj/ the river prince movie reviews
movie rattings [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_im_auftrag_des_vatikans/]im auftrag des vatikans[/url] denzel washington movie list
east hanover movie theater [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_anne_of_green_gables/]anne of green gables[/url] marquee movie theraters scranton http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_secret_agent/ watching a movie in winamp
barbara dare and tiffany million movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_hammer/]the hammer[/url] the ultimate gift movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_mission/ describtion of movie gaslight