Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-01
CURIOUS CUSTOMS IN ALASKA.
How the Indians Hold COmmunica.
tiOn with Evil Spirits

How the Indians Hold COmmunica-
tiOn with Evil Spirits-MaFrIRge.
San Francisco Chronicle.I
These Indians believe in evil
spirits who live in the water, and
send sickness and disease among
the people--a belief to which the
occasional disasters caused by mus
sci of fish poisoning have doubtless
given rise. They hold communi-
cation with these spirits through
their sorcerers, but do not worship
them in any way or try to propiti-
ate them with offerings. When a
Kolosh dies his body is burned, and
a rude monument is placed where
the ashes are buried. They believe
that the spirit lives forever, but
have no idea of any reward for vir-
tue or punishment for vice. Ac-
cording to their belief, strict dis
tinction Of rank is preserved in the
other world, all the chiefs being in
one place, the common people in
another, and the slaves in a corner
by themselves. Only when slaves
are killed at the funeral of their
chief their souls remain in eternal
attendance on their master. This
| =
cruel custom was said to be abol-
ished under the Russian rule, but
it always has existed and is kept up
to the present day, though the cere-
monies are performed out Of the
reach Of the authorities. Several
cases of this kind have occurred
since the transfer of the territory,
in spite Of the vigilance of the au-
thorities, and no wonder, as our
government has done nothing to
suppress slavery where it exists
right under the very eyes of mill
tary rule. When a child is born it
is carried and nurSed by the mother
until it is able to crawl and MUNICH
away on dried salmon; then the
scanty clothing of fur with which it
was covered at first is removed, and
to strengthen its constitution, the
child is immersed in the river or
sea every morning ; but as their own
parents would be likely to yield to
the piteous cries of the little mar
tyrs to discipline, this duty is gem
orally intrusted to an uncle or some
other relative, who stops all weep
ing and screaming with a liberal
application Of the switch. The
children implicitly obey their
parents at all ages, and great care
is bestowed upon the old and dis
abled. Orphans are always pro-
yided for by the community, and
fare as we'll as any of the other
children. When a young man
wishes to marry, he first asks the
consent of his parents, and when
that is obtained he goes to the vii
lage where his intended lives, and
sends a proposal through some
H1uutual friend, !" and if if the the answer
is favorable he repairs to the house
at once with some presents for the
parents and relatives of the girl,
and then takesimmediate possession
Of his new chattel without any fur
ther ceremonies. A short time after
this the new Benedick pays a visit
to his wife's relations in company
with her, and if she has nothing to
complain of then, presents must be
made to him and his bride, exceed
ing in value those he made at first.
The Koloski only regard relation
ship on the mothers side, and the
succession and inheritance are con-
fined to the female line. Polygamy
is the general custom, and exists
even among the Christian Kenaitze,
where it is tolerated by the native
and half-breed priests in the fami-
lies of chiefs. The wives often
quarrel, and Stabs with knives and
daggers are not of very rare occur
renee. 80 af