Description
After his experience in the Arctic, Adams passed his medical exams, and travelled to west Africa in May 1856 aboard the steampship Hecla. He died there of typhus, and was buried at Sierra Leone. The Inuinnait man in this watercolour is wearing a hat made of strips of caribou skin decorated with a loon's bear. This style of hat was worn during drum dances, which were held to welcome travelling groups or to celebrate a successful hunt. The loon was a powerful spiritual protector revered for its speed, keen eyesight, elegant song and colourful courtship dance. See, sketch, Y: 83/11/69.
This collection passed into the possession of Francis Skead, lieutenant on Enterprise, 1850-55. The writing on most of the sheets can be identified as Skead's, on comparison with text in his private journals.
Image Licence
All Rights Reserved
Image Credit
image © Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge
Location
Walker Bay, Norhtwest Territories, Canada
Country
Canada
Medium
Watercolour
Tags
Category
People & Society
