Eskimo kiss facts for kids
Have you ever heard of an Eskimo kiss? It's also called a nose kiss or nose rub. This is when someone gently presses or rubs their nose against another person's cheek. In Inuit languages, the real name for this action is kunik. You might be surprised to learn that similar nose-kissing traditions exist in many other cultures too!
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The History of the Nose Rub
When people from Western countries first explored the Arctic region, they saw the Inuit people greeting each other by rubbing noses. They called this "Eskimo kissing." However, this nose rub, or kunik, was also common in other cultures nearby. The Inuit used this as a warm way to say hello. When they met outside in the cold, often only their noses and eyes were uncovered.
The Kunik in Inuit Culture
Among the Inuit, kunik is a special way to show love. It's usually done between family members, close friends, or with young children. To do a kunik, you press your nose and upper lip against someone's skin. This is often on their cheek or forehead. Then, you breathe in. This makes their skin or hair gently suction to your nose and upper lip.
Some people mistakenly think the Inuit started doing this so their mouths wouldn't freeze together while kissing. But that's not why! It's actually a very personal greeting. It's used by people who, when they meet outdoors, might only have their nose and eyes showing because of warm clothing.
In the 1890s, two Alaskan Native women named Kerlungner and Wearner were touring the United States. They were told not to rub noses in this new country. To practice, they even kissed each other in the "new style" for the first time!
Nose Rubs in Other Cultures
Many other groups of people around the world use similar ways to greet each other.
- The Māori in New Zealand have a greeting called the hongi.
- Hawaiians have a similar greeting known as the honi.
- Nomads in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia also have a practice like this.
- You can find similar customs in parts of Southeast Asia. This includes people like the Bengalis, Khmer people, Lao people, Thai people, and Vietnamese people.
- People from Timor, the Savu people, Sumba people, and Iban people also use nose-kissing.
- Arab tribesmen use nose kissing as a traditional greeting when they meet members of their own tribe.
- It is also common among Arabian tribes in the southern part of Iran, for example, in the Bushehr Province.
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