Eskimo
Eskimo, any member of a group of peoples who, with the closely related Aleuts, constitute the chief element in the indigenous Population of the Arctic and subarctic regions of Greenland, Canada, the United States, and far eastern Russia (Siberia). Early 21st-century population estimates indicated more than 135,000 individuals of Eskimo descent, with some 85,000 living in North America, 50,000 in Greenland, and the remainder in Siberia.
The self-designations of Eskimo peoples vary with their languages and dialects. They include such names as Inuit, Inupiat, Yupik, and Alutiit, each of which is a regional variant meaning “the people” or “the real people.” The name Eskimo, which has been applied to Arctic peoples by Europeans and others since the 16th century, originated with the Innu (Montagnais), a group of Algonquian speakers; once erroneously thought to mean “eaters of raw flesh,” the name is now believed to make reference to snowshoes.
Despite that finding, the name Eskimo—widely used in Alaska—is nevertheless considered by some to be offensive. In Canada and Greenland the name Inuit is preferred for all indigenous peoples there. However, the indigenous peoples of Alaska include the Yupik and the Aleuts, both of whom are distinct from the Inuit. Other proposed names for the inhabitants of Alaska present different problems; Alaska Natives, for example, includes Athabaskan and other unrelated Native Americans.
One of the oldest known Eskimo archaeological sites was found on Saglek Bay, Labrador, and dates to approximately 3,800 years ago. Another was found on Umnak Island in the Aleutians, for which an age of approximately 3,000 years was recorded.
Eskimo people are culturally and biologically distinguishable from neighbouring indigenous groups including American Indians and the Sami of northern Europe. Studies comparing Eskimo-Aleut languages to other indigenous North American languages indicate that the former arose separately from the latter. Physiologically, an appreciable Percentage of Eskimo people have the B blood type (ABO system), which seems to be absent from other indigenous American groups. Because blood type is a very stable hereditary trait, it is believed that at least a part of the Eskimo population is of a different origin from other indigenous American peoples.
Culturally, traditional Eskimo life was totally adapted to an extremely cold, snow- and icebound Environment in which vegetable foods were almost nonexistent, trees were scarce, and caribou, seal, walrus, and whale meat, whale blubber, and fish were the major food sources. Eskimo people used harpoons to kill seals, which they hunted either on the ice or from kayaks, skin-covered, one-person canoes. Whales were hunted by using larger boats called umiaks. In the summer most Eskimo families hunted caribou and other land animals with bows and arrows. Dogsleds were the basic means of transport on land. Eskimo clothing was fashioned of caribou furs, which provided protection against the extreme cold. Most Eskimo wintered in either snow-block houses called igloos or semisubterranean houses built of stone or sod over wooden or whalebone frameworks. In summer many Eskimo lived in animal-skin tents. Their basic social and economic unit was the nuclear family, and their religion was animistic.
Eskimo life has changed greatly because of increased contact with societies to the south. Snowmobiles have generally replaced dogs for land transport, and rifles have replaced harpoons for hunting purposes. Outboard motors, store-bought clothing, and numerous other manufactured items have entered the culture, and Money, unknown in the traditional Eskimo economy, has become a necessity. Many Eskimo have abandoned nomadic hunting and now live in northern towns and cities, often working in mines and oil fields. Others, particularly in Canada, have formed cooperatives to market their handicrafts, fish catches, and tourism ventures. The creation of Nunavut, a new Canadian territory, in 1999 helped to support a revitalization of traditional indigenous culture in North America.
Pygmy
Pygmy, in anthropology, member of any human group whose adult males grow to less than 59 inches (150 cm) in Average height. A member of a slightly taller group is termed pygmoid. The best-known Pygmy groups and those to whom the term is most commonly applied are the Pygmies of tropical Africa; elsewhere in Africa some of the San (Bushmen) of the Kalahari are of Pygmy size. There are also Pygmy groups, commonly known as Negritos, in Asia. Similarities in the physical features of the African and Asian groups are a result of their long period of adaptation to similar environments.
Virtually all Pygmy peoples are hunters and gatherers, practicing neither agriculture nor cattle raising. Most maintain close symbiotic relations with other groups in their region; consequently most have lost their indigenous languages and adopted that of their neighbours.
The famous Pygmy groups of the Ituri Forest in Congo (Kinshasa) present an example of a culture unchanging as a result of acculturation with neighbouring peoples. Known collectively as the Bambuti (Mbuti), they are probably the earliest inhabitants of the region. Another well-known Pygmy group in equatorial Africa are the Twa (Batwa), who live in the high Mountains and plains around Lake Kivu, in Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi, in symbiosis with the pastoral Tutsi, the agricultural Hutu, and other tribes. Many specialize in Pottery, which they market; others hunt; some act as court musicians and attendants.
Westward, in the marshes south of the Congo River, is the large group of Tswa (Batswa), who, like the Twa, have adopted much of the culture and language of neighbouring tribes. They live largely by fishing and trapping.
North of the Congo, in the forest west of the Ubangi River, are the Babinga. This is also an acculturated group of pygmoids, but perhaps because of similarity of habitat they share more cultural characteristics with the Pygmies of the Ituri Forest than do the Twa and Tswa.
,
The Eskimo and Pygmy peoples are two of the most fascinating and diverse groups of people in the world. They live in some of the most remote and inhospitable regions of the planet, and have developed unique cultures and ways of life that are adapted to their harsh environments.
The Eskimo peoples are indigenous to the Arctic regions of North America, Greenland, and Siberia. They are divided into several different groups, including the Inuit, Yupik, and Aleut. The Inuit are the most populous group, and live in the Arctic regions of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska. The Yupik live in the Arctic regions of Siberia and Alaska, and the Aleut live in the Aleutian Islands.
The Eskimo peoples are hunter-gatherers, and their diet consists mainly of fish, seal, walrus, and whale meat. They also eat berries, roots, and other Plants. The Eskimo peoples are skilled hunters, and have developed a variety of techniques for hunting in the Arctic environment. They use spears, harpoons, and nets to hunt their prey.
The Eskimo peoples live in small, isolated communities. They are a close-knit people, and their communities are based on kinship ties. The Eskimo peoples have a rich oral tradition, and their stories and legends are passed down from generation to generation.
The Pygmy peoples are indigenous to the rainforests of Central Africa. They are divided into several different groups, including the Mbuti, Aka, Efe, Baka, Batwa, and Twa. The Mbuti are the most populous group, and live in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Aka live in the rainforests of Central African Republic, the Efe live in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, the Baka live in the rainforests of Cameroon and Gabon, the Batwa live in the rainforests of Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, and the Twa live in the rainforests of Central Africa.
The Pygmy peoples are hunter-gatherers, and their diet consists mainly of fruit, vegetables, and small animals. They also eat honey, which is a valuable source of food and energy in the rainforest. The Pygmy peoples are skilled hunters, and have developed a variety of techniques for hunting in the rainforest environment. They use bows and arrows, nets, and traps to hunt their prey.
The Pygmy peoples live in small, isolated communities. They are a close-knit people, and their communities are based on kinship ties. The Pygmy peoples have a rich oral tradition, and their stories and legends are passed down from generation to generation.
The Eskimo and Pygmy peoples are two of the most fascinating and diverse groups of people in the world. They live in some of the most remote and inhospitable regions of the planet, and have developed unique cultures and ways of life that are adapted to their harsh environments.
The Eskimo and Pygmy peoples are facing a number of challenges, including Climate change, deforestation, and conflict. Climate Change is causing the Arctic sea ice to melt, which is threatening the traditional way of life of the Eskimo peoples. Deforestation is destroying the rainforest habitat of the Pygmy peoples, and conflict is displacing Pygmy communities.
Despite these challenges, the Eskimo and Pygmy peoples are resilient and determined to preserve their cultures and ways of life. They are working to adapt to the changing environment, and to protect their land and Resources. The Eskimo and Pygmy peoples are an important part of the world’s cultural diversity, and their stories and traditions deserve to be preserved.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the main world tribes: Eskimo and Pigmy.
Eskimo
- What is the origin of the Eskimo people?
The Eskimo people are indigenous to the Arctic regions of North America, Greenland, and Siberia. They are believed to have originated in Siberia and migrated to North America over the Bering Land Bridge during the last Ice Age. - What is the language of the Eskimo people?
The Eskimo people speak a variety of languages, including Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, and Yup’ik. These languages are all part of the Eskimo-Aleut language family. - What is the culture of the Eskimo people?
The Eskimo people have a rich and diverse culture. They are known for their hunting and fishing skills, as well as their intricate art and crafts. - What are some of the challenges faced by the Eskimo people?
The Eskimo people face a number of challenges, including climate change, Economic Development, and cultural assimilation. Climate change is causing the sea ice to melt, which is threatening the traditional way of life of the Eskimo people. Economic development is often seen as a threat to the traditional culture of the Eskimo people. Cultural assimilation is the process of a minority group adopting the customs and values of the majority group. This can be a challenge for the Eskimo people, who are trying to maintain their traditional culture.
Pigmy
- What is the origin of the Pigmy people?
The Pigmy people are indigenous to the rainforests of Central Africa. They are believed to have originated in the region over 10,000 years ago. - What is the language of the Pigmy people?
The Pigmy people speak a variety of languages, including Aka, Baka, and Mbuti. These languages are all part of the Niger-Congo language family. - What is the culture of the Pigmy people?
The Pigmy people have a rich and diverse culture. They are known for their hunting and gathering skills, as well as their intricate art and music. - What are some of the challenges faced by the Pigmy people?
The Pigmy people face a number of challenges, including deforestation, disease, and POVERTY. Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or logging. This can lead to the loss of habitat for the Pigmy people and their traditional way of life. Disease is a major problem for the Pigmy people, who are often exposed to diseases that they have no immunity to. Poverty is a major problem for the Pigmy people, who often live in remote areas and have limited access to Education and healthcare.
-
Which of the following is not a tribe?
(A) Eskimo
(B) Pigmy
(C) Maasai
(D) Han Chinese -
Which of the following is the largest tribe in the world?
(A) Han Chinese
(B) Maasai
(C) Yoruba
(D) Igbo -
Which of the following is the smallest tribe in the world?
(A) Sentinelese
(B) Andaman Islanders
(C) Jarawa
(D) Onge -
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a tribe?
(A) They have a common language.
(B) They have a common culture.
(C) They have a common history.
(D) They are all nomadic. -
Which of the following is a characteristic of a tribe?
(A) They have a common language.
(B) They have a common culture.
(C) They have a common history.
(D) They are all sedentary. -
Which of the following is not a way that tribes are organized?
(A) By kinship
(B) By religion
(C) By geography
(D) By politics -
Which of the following is a way that tribes are organized?
(A) By kinship
(B) By religion
(C) By geography
(D) By economics -
Which of the following is not a traditional way of life for tribes?
(A) Hunting and gathering
(B) Agriculture
(C) Pastoralism
(D) Industrialism -
Which of the following is a traditional way of life for tribes?
(A) Hunting and gathering
(B) Agriculture
(C) Pastoralism
(D) Industrialism -
Which of the following is not a threat to tribal cultures?
(A) Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization
(B) Assimilation
(C) Genocide
(D) Environmental destruction -
Which of the following is a threat to tribal cultures?
(A) Globalization
(B) Assimilation
(C) Genocide
(D) Environmental destruction -
Which of the following is not a way that tribes are trying to preserve their cultures?
(A) Reclaiming their traditional lands
(B) Reviving their traditional languages
(C) Promoting their traditional arts and crafts
(D) Adopting Western lifestyles -
Which of the following is a way that tribes are trying to preserve their cultures?
(A) Reclaiming their traditional lands
(B) Reviving their traditional languages
(C) Promoting their traditional arts and crafts
(D) Adopting Western lifestyles -
Which of the following is not a benefit of tribal cultures?
(A) They provide a sense of community and belonging.
(B) They promote traditional values and practices.
(C) They help to preserve Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity.
(D) They are a source of cultural diversity. -
Which of the following is a benefit of tribal cultures?
(A) They provide a sense of community and belonging.
(B) They promote traditional values and practices.
(C) They help to preserve biodiversity.
(D) They are a source of cultural diversity.