Etwango’s Journey Home: A Tale of Farewell and Reunion

In March 1887, Etwango’s journey in Dundee concluded after just five months. During this time, he made notable progress in learning English and became a well-liked figure in the city. Described as “a very quiet and inoffensive man,” his behavior was deemed “exemplary.” Friends and supporters, including Capt. William Adams, raised around £17 for him, which enabled him to purchase a rifle, a shotgun, and ammunition. Many well-wishers gathered at the docks to bid farewell, presenting gifts for Etwango and his family.

A minister gifted him a prayer book, but as he had not yet mastered reading English, it proved to be of little practical use. Nonetheless, he returned home with a chest of tools, several knives, and a significant quantity of flannel donated by Mrs. Adams for his wife.

Welcomed in Shetland

The ship Maud made a stop in Lerwick, Shetland, to pick up additional crew members. Etwango’s charm shone through as he took to the shore, where he demonstrated the use of a kayak in traditional attire. This exhibition attracted around 2,000 spectators, all eager to watch him paddle around Victoria Pier. He also performed native songs and dances in the town hall alongside Capt. Adams, earning more gifts for his family.

Following this, the ship continued to Davis Strait, where it encountered ice and successfully hunted two bowhead whales and several walruses. As they navigated through the icy waters, Etwango appeared increasingly moody, a stark contrast to his earlier enthusiasm. Capt. Adams speculated that he might be feeling remorse about returning to his life as an Inuk after the enriching experiences in Dundee.

When they reached the outskirts of Durban Harbour, ice conditions forced Etwango and some crew members to travel approximately 15 miles over the ice, signaling to his fellow Inuit. Upon their arrival, a group of Inuit welcomed him, but Etwango’s emotional state was evident when he returned to the ship to rest.

Bittersweet Reunion

The reunion with his family was subdued. Etwango and his wife shook hands without much display of emotion, but his joy was palpable upon seeing his daughter. Despite her reserved demeanor at their meeting, his wife expressed overwhelming happiness upon receiving the gifts from Dundee, including a button accordion sent by a woman in Newport. To the crew’s astonishment, she played familiar Scottish tunes like “There’s Nae Luck about the House” and “The Keel Row,” showcasing her musical talent.

Capt. Adams praised Etwango as “an honest, hard-working, warm-hearted fellow,” noting his skills as a sailor and his impressive marksmanship while hunting seals. He believed that Etwango’s time in Dundee had shifted his perspective on life, leading him to express a desire to return to Dundee with his family the following year. Unfortunately, that promise would not be fulfilled.

In the subsequent year, Capt. Adams returned to Davis Strait without being able to visit Durban. He later found Etwango in a state of despair. After the death of his wife’s father, her stepmother moved in, creating tension in their household. The older woman’s influence led Etwango’s wife to leave for Cumberland Sound while he was away hunting, taking with her many of the gifts he had brought from Dundee.

The Dundee Advertiser reported on this unfortunate turn of events, lamenting that “the course of true love does not run any smoother among the Esquimaux than it does among more civilized people.”

Etwango’s heartbreak deepened as he wished to return to Dundee on the Maud, but an uncle persuaded him to stay. The next year, ice conditions again prevented Capt. Adams from reaching Durban. Tragically, Adams passed away shortly thereafter, leaving Etwango’s fate uncertain.

To this day, the record remains silent on what became of Etwango. Did his wife return? Did he follow her to Cumberland Sound? The answers to these questions remain unknown, leaving an indelible mystery surrounding the life of a man who bridged two worlds.