Becoming Modern: Some Re?ections on Inuit Social Change



Becoming Modern: Some Re?ections on Inuit Social Change

Review:

This assignment is based on the brief review of chapter 'Becoming Modern: Some Reflections on Inuit Social Change'. This chapter is written by Lance W. Roberts. This is the eighth chapter of the book 'As Long as the Sun Shines and Water Flows'. This is a very informative and well researched chapter as authors briefly discusses about the Inuit Culture and the implications of social change occurred due to Inuit culture. Inuit is the generic name of the people who inhabit the Arctic. The Inuit are organized in family groups, and each member is assigned a specific task.

Robert discusses in detail that Canadian Inuit culture is known for its handicrafts, especially its sculptures, mostly in steatite, the sale is a significant source of income for many Inuit communities. Currently, due to the strong process of globalization, it is a change in their way of life originating, but still practice some of their customs, such as the seal hunt. Furthermore, Robert discusses that the Inuit have a rich mythology that was transmitted orally and realize their traditions and the origin of the world they inhabit. The Inuit religion has animistic and shamanistic principles. The animals have a soul and the hunter must hold a brief ceremony at death so that his soul goes to the earthly world (Roberts, 1983).

The main goal to this chapter is to reveal that the Inuit have a rich mythology that was transmitted orally and realize their traditions and the origin of the world they inhabit. At the end of the last century, the Inuit began forming private organizations to defend their interests. These organizations influenced the resolution of land claims.

Critique:

The chapter discusses that Inuit is the generic name of the people ...