Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-05
ALASIS INDIANS.
Queer and Picturesque Customs OF ths
HoOnah Indians.

queer and Picturesque customs Oh tae
Hoonah Indians.
Looking out over Sitka Bay we saw
five big canoes coming toward the ranch
erie. or that part of the town on the
waters edge where the Indians live.
" e hurried down there, and We're very
much interested in the ceremonies attend
ing the arrival of a large party of Hoonah
Indians.
In times gone by Hoonah had mar
ried Sitka squaw, so the tribes are
friendly, and continue to go in large
bodies visiting at least once a year, though
the man and woman that made the rea.
tionship have been dead for some time.
Indians are fond of bright colors, ant
the red, yellow, blue, and green of thei'
costumes had very brilliant kaleido
scopic effect as the men, women, and little
children, about so in all, sat hudded to.
gethar in the canoes. Above them hoate,
the stars and stripes and a British flag
used with an eye to decoration, and with
no idea of sailing under false colors.
Hoonah, the place they came from, is
120 miles from Sitka; it takes over a
week to come from there in canoe.
The visitors may have stopped to rest al
different islands on their way, but even
so, it must have been a hard trip for
them. Indians become used to the
cramped, uncomfortable position neces.
sary in a canoe. yet / think it Injuries
them, especially when they are young.
and that it may be the reason why SO
many of them grow up bow legged
pigeon toed, and otherwise deformed.
We thought these people would be in a
great hurry to disembarlS, but there were
many ceremonies to be gone through
with first.
An old Indian stood up in one of the
canoes and extolled the virtues of the
maiden who had married into their
tribe. He told traditional stories of her
goodness and perfection. If they were
true, it was sad that she could not
have lived forever as bright and shin
ing example. He kept on for fully q
minutes, then sank down in the canoe
overcome with grie;, weeping as if the
coffin lid had just closed over the dea,
departed.
Then up rose another aged warrior and
in the most pathetic tones called out to
the people on shore to take them in
1--WE are cold-we are weary-we have
travelled far.
The sad, entreating voice had SEEM
ingly no effect, though the words were
repeated again and again. He next triec
bribery He held up new blankets and
other gifts they had brought to entertain
them. Even then there was no response.
Then in loud, wailing voice he made
personal appeal to those whose family
names he knew:
80. come out, Whale! Listen to me
Grow! Hear my words, Bear"
This was evidently the cue for the neXT
speaker. Midst the loud beating OF
drums, the door of one of the houses O,
shore opened and on its threshold an oil,
Indian called Father of Rats" appeared
dressed for the occasion. He had on
three or four blankets that might once
have been red, but had grown brown
with usage. Over the blankets he wore
q large robe made of eagles breasts,
handsome enough to make a tourist wild
with envy; long yellow leggings, and a
remarkably tall cone shaped hat com
pleted his costume.
With stealthy, catlike tread he went
down to the beach and out on big rock
shat was in the water. There he squatted,
Indian fashion, swaying his body from
side to side, occasionally Tapping hi.
arms as if about to take flight in his eagle
plumage.
While he was going through these con-
tortions another old Siwash came, and
standing beside him welcomed the stran
gers in the canoes and invited them to
land. Then at last the ceremony wa.
over, and the poor people after being al
hour and half in the drizzling rair
We're allowed to find shelter and comfort
Overland Monthly.