Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-21
THE EVENING STAR.
Sehe Of the Queer People Visited
by NOrdensk told.

tLieut. Pslander's Narrative.I

seine OF the Queer People Visited
by NOrdensk tOld.
tLieut. Pslander's Narrativel
the natives inhabiting the coast OF Siberia,
petWeen cape Shelagskof and the southern part
oI BenrlDg strait, are called TchuktchiS The
number Is estimated to be about three thousand.
mcluding nomadfc tribe called the Rein
Ichnktchis, who subSist by keeping reindeer
nerds These form link between their breth-
rem on the coast and the inland tribe of Siberia
10 the latter of whom they dispose OF their
goods, consisting of seal and walrus hides wal
rus teeth. &C, which they receive from the coun-
Try population In exchange for reindeer hides
lie coast population live in villages number
!bg from three to twenty tents, spread along
the coast as near the shore as possible, and at a
few miles distance from each other
The Tchuktchis are divided into two sections
eacn WIN It's respective chief The eastern
population have for their chief Menka, who re-
sloes at Markowa, on the Anadyr river. The
western again, are under the chief Amra Urgin
who resides in the vicinity OF Kolyma river.
The tent of the ceasJ Tchuktchis consists of
peculiar and cleverly constructed frame of
drift logs, with which the shore is plentifully
streWed. This Is covered with a number OF
seal and walrus hides carefully sewn together
Inside The tent, and right before the entrance
+ smaller cubitorm tent, made of reindeer
skins, and used as the sleeping chamber Dur
ing The cold season 1t is heated by blubber
lamps. Even during severe cold the atmos-
phele within this tent is so heated thst the ma
lives Who occupy it. without distinction OF sex
or age. lie almost nude. The dimensions OF
~ each tent generally dWelS only one family,
IN which are Included the sisters and brothers
OF me married couple before they settle for
themselves.
The Tchuktchis, the children Of nature In the
Arctic IegtoIs, fostered among ice snow and
Ctld. famlartzed with bloody scenes in the seal
Whale end WalTus hunt without any Of the In
huenceS OF civilization are. Notwithstanding a
good, natured, friendly, hospitaole and honest
people.
Although the Vega during the long winter
a 81
was only On two or three occasions that they
were Iound guilty Of dishonesty appropriauDg
any thlhg, and these thefts were OF the most
trtllng description.
The TchuktclliS are people Of small stature
aitnough among them may be found perfect
giants; as, for instance woman whom we
is salloW, the men'S being usually darker than
that OF the women. Occasionally, however one
may see, especially among the women. com
tantS OF northern Europe. The eyes are black
and often set obEque like the Chinese. The
hair, Which is coal black, is worn by the men
quite snort, While the women allow Ii to grow
freely, part it In the middle OF the brow, and
wear it in plaitS OF twelve to eighteen inches
long, which hang down at each ear. They also
covers half the forehead. The men also use a
similar lock, and sometimes a long tuft at the
corner OF the head. This tuft is worm as far as
could learn. by the chiefs.
Their clothing is made principally OF rein
deer skin, and consists OF a peSk or blouse
reaching to the knees with an opening at
The top just sufficient for the head to pass
through. In addition, the men have tight
hitting trousers OF reindeer skin, which are
tucked down into boots OF the same material,
me latter with soles OF walrus hide. The wo-
ending Immediately below the knee, where they
are similarly tucked into the boots.
In the cutter clothing the hairy side OF the
skin Is always to the exterior. but, on the con-
trary, the hairy side OF these articles worn next
to the body during the cold season is turned in
ward. close fitting hood OF reindeer skin and
miuens OF the same material complete their
dress; In this costume they defy any kind Of
weather. OFTEN SO clad, night after night. even
Ia the most severe cold. they pursue their seal
fishing miles away from the shore without any
other protection from the icy winds,
The weapons OF the TchuktchiS consist of a
DOW and arrows, spear which, like the ar
rows, has point OF iron or BONE a knife and
kind OF slip used for catching birds. The iron for
the arrow and spear heads is obtained from the
Americans and Russians In their bartering
transactions. They themselves have no iron at
their command nor any knowledge OF its work
ing. To their hunting implements belong the
sealing net, made OF fine cut strips of seal hide
netted with three-inch mesh. With these
between two blocks of ice and the seals get en-
tangled In the meshes, and SO become an easy
prey to the hunters.
The principal food OF the natives consists of
seal flesh and blubber, in addition to which they
use feathered game, bear and reindeer flesh,
when such can be obtained. The roots OF GER
tain shore plants. also willow leaves. ranuncu-
luS and SaAifrage, ETC., enters pretty largely
into their diet The lea, eS are collected In the
latter end OF summer, pressed. and consumed
during the winter. and In these they are pro-
Nided with powerful anti-Scorbuuic. During
The winter. When getting short Of other provf-
slt MS, the DGpeS or seals and walruseS caught
during summer are crushed and prepared in the
ro IN OF a broth or soup, which is consumed by
ooth men and dogs. OF the latter there are a
great Lumber in every village, which are chiefly
eIDpio!ed IN conveying their owners by sledge
from che place to another. Although these dogs
are not large, three or four OF them can with
ease carry man long distances. When the
tcGhcktchl Undertakes long journeys of 800 TO
SO miles, he OFTEN has as many as e!ghte n
dogs hltChed TO his siedge. with which he is able
TO accomplish 30 to so miles day.
A NEW TEIEPHoNE.--A feature In the new