The Washington times., 1901-12-22
ALEUTS OF ALASKA
AND THEIR CUSTOMS.
Quaint Customs in the Observance
of Christmas.
USHERiNG IN THE NEW YEAR
hnskcrs Pcr.e=!fying sin Overcome
by Purity-Nativcs Descended
From MongcIinns-Their Religion
a series of Festivals.

Prof. Robert G.. Slifer. of Park rnstit,,.
Allegheny who recently spent .Aree or
-FOUR years among the Aleuts at Kadiak.
Alaska, has an interesting collection o,
photographs that set forth the manners.
customs. and festivals OF these primitive
people. The Christmas" series. show
ing the pranks OF the maskers tho
methods OF the singers and other details
OF festive character are especially en-.
ter'aininz. and have Illustrated several
talks given by Prof sliser before inter-
ested groups OF students
A number Of Prof sHfer's photograph,
Of the Aleuts grace the United states re-
ports made By Sheldon Jackson. D. d.
on the introduction of domestic reindeer
into Alaska. He has also been asked "
an Eastern publishing house for pkoto-
graphs and descriptive material relating
to the AIeuts. for use in new geography
for schools and academies.
Aieutian Christmas Customs.
Prof Slifer says that the Christ
mas customs Of the AIeuts who live along
the coast have been derived from Russia.
Three nights before Christmas groups OF
singers carry the star Of Bethlehem
through the villages. The singers enter
every house and there drone through a
Russian carol. The star they carry is
elaborately fashioned of gilt and colored
paper. Lanterns Of coiored paper are also
a feature. Some reeonipense in refresh
ments or gifts is expected.
On Christmas eve the maskers 20 the
rounds. Originality or hideousness in the
mask or disguise Is sought with ingenuity.
The maskers continue their reyelry until
after the new year has been fairly ush-
cred in.
On New Year eve the maskers dance at
some central hall or meeting place until
IL p. m At this hour the national dance
OF the Aleuts begins. which in Its awk-
Prof. slifer says. reminds
a civilized onlcoker Of the performance
Of dancing bear.
New Year Eve Festivities.
At f1;S0 the old year. arrayed as a de-
crepit, ragged tramp. comes In accom-
panied by two attendants dressed to rep
resent devils. These horned attendants
are supposed to impersonate the sins Of
The year. The trio dance before the wom-
IN of the company and entreat them as
partners. The women refuse at first, but
inally yield. and the performance con-
-inues until each woman has been whirled
around once or twice by the tempters.
This phase Of the merrymaking, Prof
Slifer says, represents the ease with
which the people have yielded to various
temptations during the old year.
AT midnight salute Is fred. and in
'teps the new year. dressed as a gay
'oung man. He goes through the per-
ormance of attacking and conquering tbs
I'd year and his wicked attendants, and
4 eiecting them from the room. The
lev year then begins a new page on his
'wn account by passing around bottle
Il liquor, from which all are expected to
mbibe. After this dancing and carousing
ontinue until morning. The substantial
served is the national dish,
perroque.' shortcake OF hops. nour,
yater. and molassss fermented, and then
niNed and baked. The cake is sliced ard
erved with fish
OF MonGoiinn Descent.
The AIeuts according to Prof Slifer,
re essentially Mong0lian. though they
esemble the Eskimo more closely thar
he Chinese. They have no history, no
-aditions, and no ANCESTRY as far as they
now. Their homes. especially in the in
srior, where their festivals are even
iore crude than on the coast are mere
Oles in the ground. called ''uarrabara."
he hole is dug in the ground about half
he depth OF the house. The other half is
framework OF lumber or whale ribs,
Overed with earth and sod.
AS the entrance is partly underground.
is customary to enter the house on the
ands and knees Whale blubber burned
! lamps. followed out OF stone, furnishes
cat and light. Four families occupy one
lrrabara OF l6x20 feet. The AleGts de-
end on hunting and fishing for food and
liment.
Dancing Before Images.
The A!euts have no religion. The near
st approach to it is the observance OF
stivals in honor of the elements. The
;ean is propitiated for fishing and the
ements for hunting and general safety
lives and property. During these cere-
cnes young girls dance before images
lille incantation is conducted by the VIII
gers. The ceremonies are observed in
hat is known as the town barrsbara, a
III larger than the homes, though built
the same crude manner.
The Baptists have now fourishing
ission station at Wood Island, Kadiak.
r the training of orphaned AIeutian chill
en. The Methodisjs also have a mis-
on station of Importance at Unalasks.
Kadiak there is a public school and
so Greek mission station. Christmas
ferirgs for these mission stations were
tipped three months ago from the United
ates in order to ensure their arrival
Kadiak on time. The Aleuts outside
e influence Of the mission stations cele-
ate Christmas according 10 the Russian
lendar. which is twelve days later than
g date observed by English speaking
oples-Pittsburg Dispatch.
MIGHT LOOK AT THE MAp.
,rcirn ne6efeucv