Stephen led a question & answer session today to help us understand something of the society we met at Grise Fiord. The defining characteristic is of acceptance of what ‘is’, combined with a vigour in taking action wherever it is possible and necessary. Hence, a family will recognise, in extremis, the inevitability of leaving an elder to die in the snow if s/he is holding up the group, but equally will be completely committed to a common enterprise for survival. Homes are open – there is no Western sense of hospitality and ceremony; visitors can take food and drink even when the occupants are absent, and will be expected to amuse themselves when in the home, but some emblems of the occasion such as the preparation of a lamp (kudlik) or bowl of fresh berries for the guest may be subtly present.
Adoption is very common, because children look after the elders, and special consanguine ties are cut, but the small community all acknowledge the relationship. There is some alleged infanticide, especially of girls. Marriage is arranged, often before birth, and there seems to be little valuing of love – arrangements are pragmatic.
Older cultural norms recognised no head/leader except by prowess – decisions being taken collectively. This is now more formalised by elders and a system of councillors. Physiologically, Inuit (The People) are adapted to a high meat and fish diet. Narwhal skin contains Vitamin C, for example, and cholesterol levels are low. Recent introductions, especially fizzy drinks, have engendered serious caries in all people. The Co-Op sells 75,000 bottles/cans per year to 150 people. Circulation of blood to the extremities and blood vessel dilation is unusually efficient, and all have few sweat glands or facial hair.
The people are ingenious in using what the sea, and more frugally, the land, offers, and anything that can be eaten will be, even very elderly eggs and the slime that grows on sealskin soaked in urine, and fish heads buried until the bones go soft. Yum.