Akjartoq

Akjartoq (c.1920) was a Caribou Eskimo poet, included in collection of Eskimo songs gathered in the first quarter of the twentieth century by explorer Knud Rasmussen, whose poetry describes role of women in Eskimo society.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Alas, I draw breath heavily

my lungs breathe heavily,
as I call for my song.

When the news arrived of far-off friends,
starving for winter game,
I wanted to sing:
............
I forget the fire in my chest,
and the wheeze of my lungs
while I sing,
and I remember the old times
when I was strong.

Mallam Ba