The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-05

corpse 14aok pare 4nU1< 1cGF weeks after
the AeAmssgs or bariaI. when least was
made b. the relations and frienGs af the
dead: on this occasion the faAmesa or priest
extracted two OF mere OF the usalar teeth
OF the corpse which be tied 70 q small stick
or fern stalk sna then laid upon the feed
which was prepared for the oFen. this
vas called e saaH e pm OF tbs
oven OF TIN purified fseSh-she 6rst w4s
reserved for the Priest, the second oven
for the guests. While the teeth we're laid
upon the food. 3 long prayer WAS repeated
over them. Afterwards the ornaments 81
Tie corpse. which had been buried with II.
consisting Of sharks teeth. or greens tone,
were removed and worn by the relatives.
for the ceremony appears to have been
chiefly fntende3 10 seak8Eoa, or take OF the
faPs from the body, so that the ornaments
might be agaia used. which otherwise
could not have been When the ceremony
was over, the tvo teeth were bored and
worn IS ear ornaments By the nearest rel
alive. The body was then agatn wrapped
up IN fine NEAT and reinterred After
two years tie bones were again deg ND:
this vas called r. Rskst.snga suasssa, or the
aastkaEpa tassga fsasxrsaa. when the scraping Of
the bones took place This being consid-
erred an indispensable duty To the remains
OF all chiefs. all the friends and relatives
OF the dead we're summoned to assist, and
great feast was given on the occasion
The bones, when seTaped, we're painted
with red ochre and oil and ornamenied
with feathers They were then carefully
wrapped up IN me mat. which wss also
surrounded with several others. This
being done. the sacred bundle was then de-
posted in q small canoe. which was ele-
waited on a pole, or oltentimes il was
placed in a miniature house similarly
raised up: Or else the bones were carried
70 the top OF some sacred tree and then
left on S small stage Sometimes they
were put in hollow trunk or conveyed 70
cave or assure OF the rocks, where they
were finally lefs. But it was not uncom-
mon to burn them. When that was done
il was called the takssga. or burning.
When person died food was placed by
his side and some also with him in the
grave. as il was supposed the spirit OF the
deceased fed on the spirit OF the food given
ii.
The prevailing idea Of the abode OF spirits
was that they went to the Yciaga. which is
another name for hades. The word yrssa
literally means the leaping place. The
priests said that this native elysium Was
infinitely preferable TO this world OF care,
as the spirits. who we're exceedinly namer-
Gus. possessed everything they had enjoyed
best in this existence almost 70 safety.
that The females were eyergreens who, 10
addition TO longitude Of life, were sub
tracted. In that latitude, Of tongue all0wei
10 them in this mundane existence that
fighting was prohibited. but q rapid success
sion OF pleasuTahle excitements rendered
the place as delightfully."- happy as II aght-
Ing Was allowed, with the need OF eternal
victory. Food. mos. grateful 70 the taste,
was at the service OF the spirits whenever
they chose 70 rife the celestial larsisF, and
the quantity and csperes, etc, were beyond
what mortal conception could picture to
the imagination.
Among the snperstitious feelings OF the
natives implicit faith is reposed IN dreams,
visions. second sight, the efficacy Of charms
and divination. the power OF the Nakssfa or
curse of al enemy. the necessity Of observ-
ing the forms OF the 7apa or prohibited
ievitical' ceremonies. the exIStence of spirits.
ghosts, evil eyes, evil wishing. good and Ill
omens, the necessity of immoiatlng human
victims either so appease the naases Of the
dead. or discover by augnry future events.
and the value Of retributlve punishments
10 the latest generation. The ksfssi or y ell
previously mentioned was not confined to
the dead. Whenever friends met the tassgi
was raised-they cried over each other.
This custom probably arose from the inse-
enrity Of life in former days. those who
had escaped from their constant fights.
when they met, cried over each other as
though they bad been dead; even we some
times cry for JOY nc seeing any dear friend,
relative OF child. who has had any great de-
lverance from danger. the custom natur-
aliy becomes general amougSta savage and
warlike race Ike that of the AasFs.
Again. when any friends arrive at a ma
tive village. 1t is customary for Them 10 cry
over Gil those who have died since they
we're last there. They weave eha0let OF
green branches or Of beautiful l8eepefiaas.
One OF the elder females Of the party whe
acts as chief mouracr on the occasion, hiss
a chaplet Of dogs hair round her temples.
Sometimes Il is very tastefu.lv made Of .
kiad OF black sea-weea. They then present
themselves before the house OF the dead
and begin the cry in 3 low, plaintIve tone
the woman who leads the ceremonies
throwing about her arms ard slowly rails
ing her head and eyes TO heaven. then cast
inx them down again and crossing her
arrns on her breast and until q psrson i
accustomed II these scenes, he can scarcely
refrain from weeping. too. il appears 20
very natural aud the wall seeIas 70 come
from the hoftom of she soal The virtues
OF the dead are repeatsd, and he following
wail Is used on such occasions. For fnzie; ;
Alas. the covering or glory Ct sny bead
Alas - For EaEnAles 80. oh LADY pursue The
path OF your ancestors, cal loudly 70 your
female and male ancestors; they summon
yOu.
When 4 chief Was killed IN battle and
eaten, ais spiyif was supposed 10 enter The
1 stones q The oven with which his body had
b<en cooked. which retained thEsr heat -
long a. il remained IN them. His TRENDS
repeatsa their utmost powerful speSs 20
draw out his spIris from the stones. aud
nring il within che s&cred house 50. also,
xhsn they we're slain in hattie, The friends
ensseAvored 20 procure some Of this blood
or fragments Of their garments. 4 he oossy
consd net be obtained. over which taey
uttered a prayer. and thus brought the
wandering soul within the spiritual fold
/ These places Sre stu looked upon with
raneA sexr. as the spirits are theaghs e
occasionally wander from thea snsi cause
All the sickness shesr relatives safsT In
then the Tsssks or ngtEve altar. the f2sa NsAs
the yssszks 81 ssAre for offerings ta.tls gods,
we're placed. II was sheaEht % - exfrefue
I II dangerous for the Twins e. sEtsv sitAef
them or tse houses whefe TIE dead wese
! buried Ia every - nearly hA6 tee
/ houses heiaaxed 10 the dead Nasa ths
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