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Show 108 BASIS OF AMERICAN HISTORY [ 1500 \ sex. As a rule, one of the spirits is regarded as superior to all others, and in certain regions- e. g. f among the central Eskimo- this spirit is a woman. ^ It is she who creates and transforms, who receives the souls of the dead; Wi it is to her that most of the ceremonials are devoted, and about her that the chief myths centre. The social organization of the Eskimo is based on the immediate family, and no clan or gentile system is in use except in Alaska, where it has undoubtedly been derived from contact with Indians. 1 ^ Marriage between those of recognized relationship is forbidden, and monogamy is the rule, though polygamy is permitted and common where the means of the husband are sufficient for the support of the additional families. * A man's property usually descends to his eldest son, who is then bound to provide for his mother and younger brothers and sisters, or the same duty devolves upon whoever inherits. The group organization is in villages, and these are almost invariably small, usually not more than ten or fifteen huts. \ Chieftainship is conspicuous by its absence, though, as a matter of course, age, experience, and prowess wield an influence as great as though formally recognized. XThe homogeneity of the Eskimo stock wherever found is its most salient feature. Notwithstanding the time which must have been consumed in the 1 Nelson,/' The Eskimo about Bering Strait" ( Bureau of Ethnology, Eighteenth Annual Report, 32a). |
