|
Eskimo is a general term for the
population from Alaska to Grenland and Asia. Eskimos in Canada and Greenland use
the name Inuit (inuk = human beeing). Sea mammals, fish and caribou are
important for food and economy. Igloos are used as a winter residence, in the
summer tents of caribou skins provide shelter. The dogsleds are used for
the nomadic huntig life. Traditional weapons were crafted from ivory and bones. Eskimo population in the United States is about 60,000 and
33,000 in Canada. In these states Eskimos live in settled communities. Instead
of the dogsled they use the snowmobile and instead of traditional weapons
firearms.
The ancient history of Eskimos in the Americas is largely unknown, but it is
generally accepted that many groups migrated to the Americas from NE Asia
over the past 5000 years. Eskimos usually live in small communities with a
person who is able to provide leadership and look after the wellbeing of the
group. In a traditional Eskimo community duties were clearly divided between
the sexes: the men built homes and hunted for food while women cared for the
home and children.
|
