| Citation |
IL.781.017
5 Mar 1781:12,13 (3/144)
[In article extracted from the History of Greenland]
. . . The winter solstice is a season of universal
merriment; they then celebrate what they call the sun-feast,
and rejoice at the return of that planet, and the approach
of good weather, for hunting and fishing: at these feasts,
they sing and dance: their only music, however, is a drum:
the subject of their songs is the achievement of their
heroes, and the return of the sun. They have several
sports, among others playing at ball, and spinning a round
board on an axle which has a finger-piece in the side, and
he to whom this points, when the board stands still, wins
the prize.
They have some other dancing seasons in the year and it
is very remarkable, that they decide their quarrels by
singing and dancing in what they call a singing combat.
If one Greenlander imagines himself injured by another,
he betrays not the least trace of vexation or wrath, much
less revenge, but he composes a satirical poem; this he
repeats so often with singing and dancing, in the presence
of his domestics, and especially the women, till they have
all got it in their memory. Then he publishes a challenge
every where, that he will fight a duel with his antagonist,
not with a sword but a song. The respondent betakes himself
to the appointed place, and presents himself in the
encircled theatre. Then the accuser begins to sing his
satire to the beat of the drum, and his party in the
auditory, back every line with a chorus, and also sing every
sentence with him; and all this while he discharges so many
taunting truths at his adversary, that the audience have
their fill of laughing. When he has sung out all his gall,
the defendant steps forth, answers the accusation against
him, and ridicules his antagonist in the same manner, all
which is corroborated with the united chorus of his party,
and so the laugh changes sides. The plaintiff renews the
assault, and tries to baffle him a second time; in short he
that maintains the last word wins the process, and acquires
a name. At such opportunities they can tell one another the
truth very roundly and cuttingly, only there must be no
mixture of rudeness or passion. The whole body of beholders
constitute the jury, and bestow the laurel, and afterwards
the two parties are the best friends.
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