Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1918 — SING TO SETTLE QUARRELS [ARTICLE]

SING TO SETTLE QUARRELS

Eskimos Have Manner of Adjusting Grievances That is Said to Work Satisfactorily to Them. The Eskimos, who live in the icebound, barren northland, have a way of settling quarrels which seems very strange and amusing to those who live in a laiy) of policemen and courts of justice. There, when quarrels arise, the man who has a grievance writes a song in which he tells the wrongs that have been done him. When this has been composed to his satisfaction he invites his enemy to come and hear him sing it. This the enemy must do, and he brings with him all his relatives and many of his friends, while the singer also has_ gathered his friends and relatives for the occasion, which is considered something of tt general entertainment by the people of the village in which the men live. Then, while other men of the village pound madly on huge drums, the song of wrongs is begun. is finished, if the audience expresses approval, the singer is considered to have won and to have a just cause of complaint. But if dissatisfaction is expressed, that is considered sufficient punishment. After the song every one dances and the party breaks up In great good humor.