The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1888-09-21
AMONG THE MuTEs.
Curious superstitions and Beliefs Existing
Among the Natives of Alaska.

curious HuperHIitioHA anu 4tcllctS E1NlebEk
Among the Natives of Alaska.
A belief in the presence of evil spirits
constitutes the oaly religious idea
among the Mutes. There are among
them individuals called toonrachs, cor
responding to the shafnan of the Sibe-
rian tribes. III person Is sick before
the whaling season commences, or a
child is born before going on a journey
or building a.house, the services of the
shaman is called into requisition. The
modus oper7ndi in every case is simi-
lar. The shaman, after long spell of
silence. suddenly begins to roll his
eyes, convulsive shakes prevade his
frame, and he gives utterance to vari-
Gus groans and sighs interniingled with
sentences pertaining to the subject
upon which he is engaged. During the
time of his performance u continuous
beating upon drum is kept up.
Toward the end paroxysms, or rather
commissions of exultation similar 10
what have been described as prevailing
ut the finale of shaker meeting, are
exhibited by the shaman. Froth
exudes from his mouth, his eyes glare
and roll, and his whole frame is con-
torted. Perspiration pours from his
face, and he is entirely exhausted. The
loud invocations to the evil spirits to
vacate the body of the sick person or to
drive them away from the sea to ena-
BILE the whales or seals to arrive, be-
come gradually subdued. dying away
into incoherent mutterings. Then
after awhile he regains his composure,
complaeently smokes his pipe, and re-
ceives his pay for services performed.
If the operation is performed over a
sick person and recovery does not en-
sue the payment made is returned, q
custom that might be advantageously :
adopted among civilized persons.
Some curious superstitions are also
TO be noted. If person is sick, iron
tools, such rs axes or knives, can moi
be used in the house Upon mans
grave his sled is placed. but broken &c
pieces, and his kyack meets similar
usage. Furs, spears and rifles are alsc
deposited, while if the individual ha.
killed many whales the long jawbone.
of the balaena are placed in an upright
| position to mark the spot. Those peo
pie bury their dead upon the ground
raising number of pieces of driftwooC
in the shape of tent over the remains
Owing to this insecure mode of buria
the wood soon falls down and afford
| entrances 10 foxes and dogs, which
make havoc with the body. But littl,
regard is paid 20 the burial places
although these Mutes are very mucl
incensed whenever attempts are mad,
TO take away any skulls or bones from
the graveyards. They also make
long detour in passing the resting plac
of the dead. and will on no accoun
touch any thing once deposited at
burial.
| A woman's grave has her clothing
sewing gear and various househol,
utensils placed upon it. One of IN
most peculiar acts heard of took plac
in the month of May. during tn
whaling season, at Point Hope. !
woman died and her body was carries
out to the edge of the ice. Three oil
women cut her heart out, wrapped it i
a covering of seal intestines and threV
it into the sea through hole in the foe
This was done in order TO bring goo,
luck to. the catch.-AlaSka Cor. Sa
Francisco Chronicle.