Hunters, Predators and Prey

Inuit hunting traditions are rich in perceptions, practices and stories relating to animals and human beings. The authors examine key figures such as the raven, an animal that has a central place in Inuit culture as a creator and a trickster, and qupirruit, a category consisting of insects and other small life forms. After these non-social and inedible animals, they discuss the dog, the companion of the hunter, and the fellow hunter, the bear, considered to resemble a human being. A discussion of the renewal of whale hunting accompanies the chapters about animals considered ‘prey par excellence’: the caribou, the seals and the whale, symbol of the whole. By giving precedence to Inuit categories such as ‘inua’ (owner) and ‘tarniq’ (shade) over European concepts such as ‘spirit ‘and ‘soul’, the book compares and contrasts human beings and animals to provide a better understanding of human-animal relationships in a hunting society.

Inuit hunting traditions are rich in perceptions, practices and stories relating to animals and human beings. The authors examine key figures such as the raven, an animal that has a central place in Inuit culture as a creator and a trickster, and qupirruit, a category consisting of insects and other small life forms. After these non-social and inedible animals, they discuss the dog, the companion of the hunter, and the fellow hunter, the bear, considered to resemble a human being. A discussion of the renewal of whale hunting accompanies the chapters about animals considered ‘prey par excellence’: the caribou, the seals and the whale, symbol of the whole. By giving precedence to Inuit categories such as ‘inua’ (owner) and ‘tarniq’ (shade) over European concepts such as ‘spirit ‘and ‘soul’, the book compares and contrasts human beings and animals to provide a better understanding of human-animal relationships in a hunting society.

List of Figures
Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1. Theoretical Perspectives
Chapter 2. The Animals and Their Environment
Chapter 3. Becoming A Good Hunter

Life and Death

Chapter 4. The Raven, The Bringer of Light
Chapter 5. Qupirruit, Masters of Life And Death

Fellow Hunters

Chapter 6. The Dog, Partner of The Hunter
Chapter 7. The Bear, A Fellow Hunter

Prey

Chapter 8. The Caribou, The Lice of The Earth
Chapter 9. Seals, The Offspring of The Sea Woman
Chapter 10. The Whale, Representing The Whole

Comparison and Conclusions

Appendix I: Inuit Elders

Glossary of Inuktitut Words
References
Index