The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-21

Sabine, and to many of his brave men the
last ever spent upon earth. The only
mention of anything in the nature of gifts
that day, is in regard to Kislingbury, who
knowing that ::many of the men were en-
tirely out of their supply of tobacco, kind
ly made for each of the party cigarette.
CHRISTMAS SUN FEAST OF THE EsoUINAUx.
When asked whether the season was
celebrated in any sense as a religious fes-
tival among the Esquimaux, General
Greedy said that while the race were by no
means heather people, yet their celebra-
ton of Christmas so far from being in ac-
cordance with the Christian significance is
distinctly traceable to the ancient celebra-
ton of the Sun Feast. This is in reality
the hyemal or winter solstice which falls
about December %, and is kept as
period of rejoicing at the return of the sun,
which to the Esquimaux means not only
an end of the long, dreary night but is the
return of weather propitious for
good hunting and fishing. Interesting
accounts of this Sun Feast chronicIed
by Moravian priest early in 100 states
that the people, having assembled in large
parties from all over the country, amuse
themselves with sports of an athletic ma
ture, and treat one another to the best
fare their larder provides. After gorging
themselves the Esquimaux rise up to play
and dance. There was no danger of in
toxication on these early celebrations of
the Sun Feast, since water was the only
beverage known. The one musical in
strument of the people is q drum formed
of a wooden or whalebone hoop, two
fingers III breadth, which on one side
is covered with thin vellum,
or the skin of whales tongue
This drum, slightly oval, has long
handle by which the Greenlander holds
it in his right hand, striking it the while
upon the under side with his left hand. At
every stroke he gives a grotesque little
hop, swaying his head and body to the
time, two strokes falling in every crotchet
The song of recitative nature accompany
ing this music, extols the noble deed of
his ancestors, the honor of seal catching
and expresses joy at the return of the sun
to the hemisphere. Every stanza is ac-
companied by the auditory, from whose
lips the oft-repeated chorus, Gamma ajah,
alan, ah-hu," forms complete cantata
thus:
"The welcome sun returns again,
ANNA, ajah, ajah, ah-hu,
And brings us weather fine and fair,
<fLuHd dJdH, dydii,
This sort of thing lasts for several days
and nights, either until the entire stock of
provisions is exhausted or the people are
too exhausted to sing or move. Whoever
has succeeded in making the greatest num-
Der of drol contortions of the body bears
thereafter the proud distinction of master
musician. When the moon shines they
play at ball in a manner similar to that
followed in this country. This general
children who, after the fashion with which
we are all familiar in this country, join
hands, form circle and hop about, sing
ing as they make the circuit.
These drum dances may with justice be
called the Olympic games of the Green
landers.
CHRISTMAS AMONG THE ARCTIC DANES.
1t will readily be seen that this ancient
observance is very closely allied to the
Christmas of today in the Arctic regions,
where, since the teachings of the Moreavi-
ans and later the Danish priests has be-
come apparent, the season is generally OBJ
served as a seven days holiday, during
which no one does work of any description.
Every one dresses in his best attire, and
having provided an extra amount of seal,
fish or game for this period, blub-
Der being used only for light
ing purposes, proceeds to make merry
with his friends according to the native
idea, which is to eat to repletion. Though
liquor is strictly forbidden by law through
out the Danish provinces, yet on the
notable occasion of Christmas day it is