Introduction-E

That is the first time I heard of that.
Saullu: Her step-mother used an asimautta on my sister-in-law Leetia because it had
been a long time since she had been pregnant. Although she had had a husband for a
long time, her pregnancies were far apart. She delivered fine [after using the board].
I forgot what asimautta is.
Saullu: A wooden object. It’s made of wood. We used them to measure and cut up skins.
Some people separated the bones in this area [demonstrating at the front], some around
this area near the tail bone (ingiiqsauti). That is how they separated them. That is what
they said.
I don’t quite understand. Were the bones broken when they didn’t separate?
Saullu: Someone first put the asimautta on the female’s lower back and knelt on it
applying pressure until the bone separated.
When she was in labour?
Saullu: Yes, because she could not give birth. She was in labour, but her pelvic bones
couldn’t separate. Sometimes it was a problem too, when one side of the pelvis moved
too much.
Pauloosie: You all have pelvic bones that have separated.
Saullu: Yes, all of you, yes. All of your pelvic bones are separated. They told us not to
wait too long so our bones would not stick together.
When they get too old?
Saullu: When they get too old.
Qallunaat wait until they are much older .
Saullu: Most definitely.
They wait until they are 35 to 40 years old, because they put their work
first. That’s why they wait.
Saullu: Yes.
80 Introduction to the Oral Traditions