Similarities Between Aztec And Inuit Culture

Ritual Gifts: Inuit Culture and Aztec Culture

The two cultures that will be discussed in this paper have many similarities as well as gift exchanges and rituals that are important to the people. Inuit Culture takes part in animal sacrifice, for feeding the people. Placing fresh water into the mouth of the dead seal before it is cut up to eat; in doing this the hopes of the people are that the seal will come back for more water and feed the humans again. As for the Aztec Culture they perform human sacrifices in offering blood to the Sun. This ritual takes place over four days and is used to extend the life of the Sun and keep the Sun in the sky and this is what keeps life happening. In reading about both cultures there is many things are similar to the way both rituals and gift exchanged are used. They both partake in sacrificing living things, whether it is animal or human, this is a ritual to feed them or to keep life going. Inuit and Aztec culture both believe in super natural power; giving the seal water before butchery so that its soul is happy and it will come back in a form of another seal and feed them again. Also giving human blood to the Sun so that it may rise again and continue to keep life going. Both cultures are emphasizing the importance of earthly elements like Sun and water
One is giving something in order to receive in exchange something else that is needed or wanted. Example being with the Inuit Culture, they are so grateful that the seals are letting themselves be caught in order for the people to eat. In exchange, the humans will give them fresh water before being cut open so that the seal will return in exchange. All of the Inuit Culture does this as a social relationship rule, they give themselves to the people and the people honor them. They believe in the super natural power or animals coming back again and again if honor is brought to each