and hands, which are in danger of gangrene; he laughs while letting oil run down his throat, while greasing his skin, and while lubricating his garments within and without; he laughs, and asks nothing but laughter. The Inoits have few pleasures but those of society, and of these they do not deprive themselves. The climate being hostile, the earth a harsh step-mother, they feel the need of keeping close together, of helping one another, of loving one another. "Primitive Folk" |
What the outer world refuses them they ask from the inner. After all, there is for man no better companion than man; it is in consorting with his fellows that he developes his original qualities and his highest faculties. Were it not that the Esquimaux tribes are great families, closely united, were there not communism thorough and deep rooted, their little republics would have speedily perished....
ELIE RECLUS |
ELIE FAURE