Question

Elaborate on five distinct points of Eskimo culture.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Give an introduction to the culture of the Eskimos.
• Explain five distinct points of their culture.

Solution:
Eskimos are an isolated group of people. They live in the harsh climate of the Arctic region, largely separated from the rest of the world. They have developed their own way of life to adapt to their surroundings. Here is an insight into the culture of the Eskimos:

• Food: The Eskimo diet mainly consists of meat, fat, and fish. Vegetables are scarce in the region and the meat is mostly eaten raw since they don’t have options to cook their food. Hunting and fishing are essential skills for survival.
• Shelter: The Eskimos build shelters with whatever resources are available in their surroundings. Common materials include animal skins, whale ribs, wooden logs, and packed snow.
• Clothing: The Eskimos make most of their clothing from animal skins. Caribou fawnskin is a popular material for their clothing. They also use seal skins near the coastal regions. The Eskimos also embroider and decorate their clothing with bone, ivory, and soapstone.
• Religion: Eskimos believe that spirits control all aspects of life like life, death, sickness, and health. They perform religious ceremonies, performed by shamans, for important life events like birth, death, and when the hunting is poor.
• Recreation: Eskimos have many recreational activities like wrestling, racing, harpoon throwing, etc. They also like storytelling, singing, drumming, and dancing.