Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Perlerorneq

Winter darkness brings on the extreme winter depression the Polar Eskimo call perleroneq. (…), the word means to feel “the weight of life.” (…). It is to be “sick of life” (…). The victim tears fitfully at his clothing. A woman begins aimlessly slashing at things in the iglu with her knife. A person runs half naked into the bitter freezing night, screaming out at the village, eating the shit of the dogs. Eventually the person is calmed by others in the family, with great compassion, and helped to sleep. Perlerorneq. Winter. Berry Lopez, ARTIC DREAMS, Page 243.

Something to look forward to -- compassionately.

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