It is not surprising, then, that in various cases a people which to one traveller appears to be quite destitute of gratitude is by another described as being by no means lacking in this feeling;[33] and sometimes contradictory statements are made even by the same writer. Thus Mr. Lumholtz, who gives such a gloomy picture of the character of the Northern Queensland natives, nevertheless tells us of a native who, though himself very hungry, threw the animals which the traveller had shot for him to an old man—his wife’s uncle—whom they met, in order to give some proof of the gratitude he owed the person from whom he had received his wife;[34] and regarding the Fijians Mr. Williams himself states that thanks for presents “are always expressed aloud, and generally with a kind wish for the giver.”[35] As we have noticed before, retributive kindly emotions, of which gratitude is only the most developed form, are commonly found among gregarious animals, social affection being not only a friendly sentiment towards another individual, but towards an individual who is conceived of as a friend.[36] And it is all the more difficult to believe in the absolute want of gratitude in some savage races, as the majority of them—to judge from my collection of facts—are expressly acquitted of such a defect, and several are described as remarkably grateful for benefits bestowed upon them.
[33] E.g., the Fuegians, Sioux, Ahts, Aleuts, Kamchadales, Tasmanians, Zulus (see supra and infra).
[34] Lumholtz, Among Cannibals, p. 221.
[35] Williams and Calvert, op. cit. p. 132.
The Fuegians use the word chapakouta, which means glad, satisfied, affectionate, grateful, to express thanks.[37] Jemmy Button, the young Fuegian who was brought to England on board the Beagle, gave proofs of sincere gratitude;[38] and Admiral Fitzroy also mentions a Patagonian boy who appeared thankful for kindness shown to him.[39] Of the Mapuchés of Chili Mr. E. R. Smith observes:—“Whatever present is made, or favour conferred, is considered as something to be returned; and the Indian never fails, though months and years may intervene, to repay what he conscientiously thinks an exact equivalent for the thing received.”[40] The Botocudos do not readily forget kind treatment;[41] and the Tupis “were a grateful race, and remembered that they had received gifts, after the giver had forgotten it.”[42] The Guiana Indians “are grateful for any kindness.”[43] The Navahos of New Mexico have a word for thanks, and employ it on all occasions which we would consider appropriate.[44] The Sioux “evinced the warmest gratitude to any who had ever displayed kind feelings towards them.”[45] In his ‘Voyages from Montreal to the Frozen and Pacific Oceans,’ Mackenzie mentions the gratitude shown him by a young Indian whom he had cured of a bad wound. When well enough to engage in a hunting party, the young man brought to his physician the tongue of an elk, and when they parted both he and his relatives expressed the heartiest acknowledgment for the care bestowed on him.[46] If an Aleut receives a gift he accepts it, saying Akh! which means “thanks.”[47] Some of the Point Barrow Eskimo visited by Mr. Murdoch “seem to feel truly grateful for the benefits and gifts received, and endeavoured by their general behaviour, as well as in more substantial ways, to make some adequate return”; whereas others appeared to think only of what they might receive.[48]
[37] Hyades and Deniker, Mission scientifique du Cap Horn, vii. 314.
[38] King and Fitzroy, op. cit. ii. 327.
[39] Ibid. ii. 173.
[40] Smith, Araucanians, p. 258.