Note 125 — Chapter XXIV · HOSPITALITY

Egede informs us (op. cit. p. 140) that the native women of Greenland thought themselves fortunate if an Angekokk, or “prophet,” honoured them with his caresses; and some husbands even paid him for having intercourse with their wives, since they believed that the child of such a holy man could not but be happier and better than others. Some similar belief may be held in regard to intercourse with a guest, though I can adduce no direct evidence for my supposition. Cf. also the jus primae noctis accorded to priests (Westermarck, History of Human Marriage, p. 76 sq.; cf. ibid. p. 80).