Since the most important person in the Eskimo community
is thehunter, and since hunters are always male,
female infants are ritually killed if there is no infant
male who will someday need a mate to cook,
sew, and chew leather for him.
This social condition adds to the drama of birth.
The pains were coming in regular intervals and she
knew that if she didn'tstart moving now,
her legs might collapse under her before she could
reach the ice cave. The ceremonial band was already
playing birth music and the other women sang in an
attempt to comfort her. But as her steps carried her
toward the ice cave and the ceremonial band's music
became lost in the wind. the true lonliness of her
situation loomed even larger in her mind.
The gaping mouth of the ice cave eagerly awaited.
And although she felt fear,
she knew the cave also offered relief from her quickening
pains, for this journey had been made many times before.
Her pace remained unchanged as she entered the cave,
which now enlargedbefore her and engulfed her in the
sweet music of slowly moving ice vibrating within its
own cristaline formations.
Deeper into the cave she went.
The men were playing the kooa and chanting for the birth of a male.
Finally she reached the furthest chamber where stood
the Angakok. Deliverybegan immediately as the magic
man filled the room with protective prayers.
The child was born. The Eskimo woman reached forth
with her hand, gently across the already frozen crust
on the infant's belly to feel the child's sex; the
other women came into the chamber singing the song
of life and bore the infant away.

IF A GOOD HUNTER DIES, THE OTHER MEN CUT HIM UP AND
RUB THEPIECES ON THEIR SPEARHEADS TO IMPROVE THEIR AIM.
BATHING IS DONE IN URINE.
ESKIMOS EAT ONLY MEAT, INCLUDING ROTTEN WALRUS,
WHICH IS SAID TOTASTE LIKE CHEESE.