STATUS ACCORDING TO ABILITY

Some people had a higher status than others, however. The shaman occupied a central role in society. It was he who went on a transmigration of souls to, for example, Asiaq, the Mistress of the Wind, or the Mother of the Sea.

Higher status was also endowed on the fertile woman, the skilled seamstress, the successful hunter and the able fisherman, etc. However, you could not afford to rest on your laurels, but had to constantly demonstrate your ability as long as you did this you also carried greater weight in decisions within the community and thus had greater power.

GREAT SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The older generation would typically take over the role of bringing up the children and transferring their knowledge to the children. The feeling of solidarity and sense of responsibility was very strong.

If hunger and natural disasters hit the settlement, it was expected that the elderly would ‘go walkabout’ and surrender their lives to the elements. It was important not to be a burden on the rest of the community.