Inuit Society

A detailed Summary of Inuit Society

The Inuit tribes of the Northern Polar Regions led simple lives. They were a proud people

fueled by tradition and superstition. Laughter was common and the mood was free and

easy. They enjoyed life and lived to preserve it. At times their only focus was on survival.

This instinct was brought on by the harsh climate and environmental landscape that they

came to love and respect. It was not uncommon for temperatures reach as low as ninety

degrees below zero where spit would freeze before it hit the ground. Food was scarce and

hunting and fishing would be solely relied upon for survival. If a family or tribe did not

have a good hunter amongst them, then their existence was not assured. However with

the providings from a strong male hunter a family would have no worries restraining them

from living the proud yet simple life that they were accustomed to; being burdened only by

their fearful attention to superstitions that guided their lifestyle.

Many generations of Inuit societies lived at peace with their surroundings fearing

nothing, yet respecting the land. They believed that if there was not a great bond or

interrelationship with their well being and that of their surroundings, it would led to an

in-depth that in some instances can be difficult not to be confused with arrogance or

They were exact in their beliefs and knew that "traveling without charms was the ultimate

into a valiant hunter was ensured by carrying his "dried naval string sewn inside his

Just by going by the name Inuit, or Men, shows the pride of the people. This choice of

followed by the spirit. Upon returning from the burial, they must "build enough sham

child's first teeth.(67) Along with overall strength and wisdom, to warrant a good hunter

earth."(117) Once the dead is laid to rest his spirit is said to be free and vengeful. The

ethnocentrism as the "tendency to think that only other people are foreigners, never

a bear he should feast upon it immediately, especially if he is weary and starving. There

with the hunt and the hunted show the importance of the in Inuit culture and leads them to

prize intact."(19) This to an ignorant observer is arrogant. For if one was to hunt and kill

was a risk whether the favor was obliged or denied. If a favor was granted, the grantee

bear's claw against lightning, a caribou's tooth against famine, a lemming's skin against

would still be plenty of remains to take home and earn respect from. Not indulging in the

strong that to ask favors was "undignified."(12) If a favor or question was asked, there

Approximate Word count = 1571
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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