Chapter 20
Inuits at Play
Despite the hardship that Inuits faced every day,
they still loved to dance, sing and play.
Their dances included chanting and the beating of drums
establishing a rhythm that was never ho-hum.
The men vividly acted out different scenes or events
that were important to how Inuits' lives were spent.
The women did not move around nearly as much,
simply swaying to the rhythms which for them was enough.
Inuit songs described legends of Inuits, who lived in the past,
which kept their deeds fresh in everyone's minds so they would last.
Adults as well as children played games using sealskin string
to make cat's cradle and animal shapes among other things.
They also played board games using dice
to help pass the long winter evenings at home on the ice.
One of the games that the children loved to play
had a name that after some practice
should become easier to say.
Nuglutang was a game
whose particular claim to fame
was having players attempting to spear
a piece of twirling ivory, while others cheered.
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NATIVE AMERICAN RHYMES
