A CUSTOM OF THE PEOPLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15175, 14 December 1912, Page 5 (Supplement)

A CUSTOM OF THE PEOPLE.

In a little shack in the villago of Okark in Labrador, . Dr. S. K. Huttoii observed an Eskimo custom that sheds a pleasing light on the character of the people. He tells of it in " Among the Eskimos of Labrador."

"It was a queer dinner-party. The table was pushed into 'the corner, and littered as usual with clothes and books and relics of work hastily laid aside; dinner was spread on the floor. ■ The centre of the feast was ail enormous pot, heaped with lumps and slabs and ribs ' and joints of raw seal meat. Round the pot the family squatted, every one except the baby, armed with a/business-like knife. Cutting oil pieces of flesh or gnawing at bones, they munched and chewed and smacked their lips with great relish.

"So busy were they all that perhaps I was the only one to notice a slow, shuffling' Step passing the window. The footsteps turned into the porch, and I heard the dogs yelping as somebody cleared them out of the way. A groping hand felt for . the latch, and the door silently opened- A voice said ' Aksuse' (Bo strong, all of you), and Apkik, a young man of the village, came in. choking and coughing at the sudden warmth. No-, body seemed to take much notice, but John gave a laconic 'Ah !' in answer to his greeting, and the circle widened to make room for the newcomer.

" Apkik sat down, and pulled a knife out of his belt. .1 watched him pitingly its lie helped himself with lean and shaking finders. It was not long before he was satisfied, for he Was sadly listless and weary, and with a simple 'Nakomek' he wiped his knife upon his trouser-leg and slowly went . out. Again . nobody took much, notice ; John said 'Ah!' and Apkik shut the door after him.

" I was mystified by this strange little drama, and I suppose that I showed my wonder in my face, for John answered, the question that was in my 'thoughts, just as if I had asked it.

. "'We all know Apkik,' he said. 'He is a poor young man who cannot hunt or work for himself, and we know that he cannot work because he is ill. I did not invito him to come, but he is quite welcome. No poor man lacks for a meal as long as there is food. It is a custom of the people.' ,