Their Pastimes and Diversions, as also their Poetry.

THE Greenlanders have several kinds of sports and recreations, with which they pass their time, when they have nothing else to do, or when they visit one another: of which these are the most remarkable. When they meet together for diversion’s sake, the first step made is always banqueting and revelling, where they stuff themselves with all the dainty bits{155} and the best cheer the country affords; as rein deer and seal flesh dried or boiled; and the tail of a whale, which they reckon among the greatest delicacies. Of these things they eat very greedily; for it is a great honour done to the landlord who treats, that his guests, when come home, complain that their belly was too small, and that it was ready to burst.

After the repast, they get up to divert themselves in this manner: one of the company takes a drum, which is made of a broad wooden hoop, or of the rib of a whale, covered with a thin skin, with a handle to it; which drum he beats with a stick, singing at the same time songs, either concerning the common affairs in general, or his own private ones in particular. In which, at the end of each verse, the whole chorus of men and women join with him.

He that can play the most odd and comical gestures, and play the most ridiculous tricks with his face, head, and limb, turning{156} them awry, passes for the most ingenious fellow; as he by his awkward and out of the way postures can make others laugh.

They show their wit chiefly in satirical songs, which they compose against one another; and he, that overcomes his fellow in this way of debate, is admired and applauded by the rest of the assembly. If any body conceives a jealousy, or bears a grudge to another upon any account, he sends to him, and challenges him to a duel in such or such assembly; where he will fight it out with him in taunting ditties. Whereupon the defied, in defence of his honour, prepares his weapons, and does not fail to appear at the time and place appointed, if his courage do not forsake him. When the assembly is met, and the combatants arrived, every body being silent and attentive to hear what end the combat will take, the challenger first enters the lists, and begins to sing, accompanying it with the beat of his drum. The challenged rises also, and in silence listens, until his champion or{157} adversary has done singing. Then he likewise enters the lists, armed with the same weapons, and lays about his party the best he can. And thus they alternately sing as long as their stock of ditties lasts. He that first gives over, is reckoned overcome and conquered. In this sort of taunting ditties they reproach and upbraid one another with their failings. And this is their common way of taking vengeance.

There is not to be expected great ingenuity or sallies and points of wit in their poesies, yet there is some cadence and number in their verses, and some kind of rhyme in them. For an instance of which I join hereto a Greenland song, or ode, composed by one of the natives, who formerly lived in our colony, by name Frederick Christian, upon the birth day of his then royal highness, Prince Christian, on the 30th of November, 1729, which is as follows.{158}
A

G R E E N L A N D   S O N G,

COMPOSED

BY FREDERICK CHRISTIAN,

A Native.

Amna aja aja, aja aja, &c. [Entry.
One morning as I went out, and saw,
That flags and colours were flying,
And that they made ready
To fire the guns;
Then I demanded,
Why do you fire?
And they answered me, because the King’s Son’s
Birth day was celebrated,
Who is to be king after his father,     Annigamma irsigeik, amna aja aja, &c.
Arvallirsullitlarmeta: amna aja, &c.
Opellungarsullarmeta, amna aja, &c.
Erkaiseigamig og, amna aja aja, &c.
Tava orkarbigeik, amna aja aja, &c.
Saag erkaisovise? Amna aja, &c.
Tava akkyanga, assuog Nellermago,
Okuine annivine nellermago, amna aja, &c.
Angune tokkopet kongingoromagame, amna aja, &c.
{159} And succeed in the kingdom.
Thereupon I said to my friend,
Let us make a song
To the King’s Son;
For he shall be made king.
This my little song shall praise him:
’Tis said, he is a brave prince,
Let us therefore rejoice;
For he shall be our king,
After his Father’s death,
We rejoice also, because
He loves us as his Father does;
Who sent over clergymen to us,
To teach us the word of God;
Lest we should go to the Devil.
Be thou like him, so shall we love thee,     Kingoreis semmane; amna aja, &c.
Tava ikkinguntiga; amna aja aja, &c.
Pitsimik sennegiluk; amna aja, &c.
Kongib imna niamganut, amna aja, &c.
Kongingoromamet; amna aja aja, &c.
Pisingvoara una; amna aja aja, &c.
Ostantigirfar?t sillakartok unnertlugo, amna aja, &c.
Tipeitsutigeik: amna aja aja, aja aja.
Kongingoromamet; amna aja aja, aja, &c.
Angune-oy tokkoppet: amna aja aja, &c.............