The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-22
INDIANS OF ALASKA
People of the Far North Are
a Strange Set.
PRETTY STORY OF SUN
Traditions Are More interest
ing Than Fairy Tales


the inhabitants OF America. These re-
markable people are notable for their
vast linear extent and narrow range. eX-
tending as they do along the Arctic coast
line from Greenland to Siberia. Through
out this extended line there is to be OBJ
served close similarity in physique, Ian
guage, customs. beliefs, and industries.
which differentiate them strikingly from
neighboring peoples. Developed by an
environment of especial severity, they
illustrate in their dwellings. clothing, i'm
plements, and utensils, a peculiar adapta-
tion TO local conditions, which has oeen
enforced in their struggle for existence.
The Eskimo villages of western Alaska
are located on bays and at the heads OF
coast indentations, the sites being deter
mined by their proximity TO hunting and
fishing grounds. These vary from shell
tered coves on the main coast to the bases
of precpitous cliffs on certain Of the Ber-
ing Sea islands. The villages themselves
consist of groups of dwellings, semi-sub-
terranean in structure, that surround
central structure which is used as gem
eral meeting place. The houses Of snow
and ice that are TO be found so generally
among the Eskimos OF Greenland are rare
in Alaska, and are used only as tempor-
airy shelters. The ordinary dwelling house,
such as IS seen in the vicinity of st.
Michael is rectangular in form and built
Of a framework of logs, eight to ten feet
high in the middle, sloping to about five
feet at the side. This is covered by boards
or slabs. upon which earth is strewn to
the depth of three or four feet. To this
dwelling, whose floor is the ground, there
are two entrances, one for summer and
one for winter use, the latter being sub
terranean A hole in the roof allows OF
the exit of smoke from the fire, which is
built in an excavation in the middle Of the
floor Raised platforms are erected foot
or so above the ground for sleeping
places, and these occupy three sides of the
house interior.
In physical characteristics the same
general features pervade the entire group.
Generally speaking, the most northerly
are taller and of more vigorous develop
ment than those living further south;
they are also more combative and treach-
erous. In the Bering Strait and lower
Yukon region, which may be taken as
general type the Eskimo men are five
feet two or three inches in height, with
features and somewhat pointed chins.
The faces are heavy, with massive lower
jaws, and fiattened noses with low nose
bridge and at times rerreaiing foreheads
Curiosities in personal adornment are
seen in the wearing of labrets, and face
tattooing; both of which are in much less
common use now than formerly, and
which are disappearing with increased
intercourse with the whites.
Labrets are button or siclde-shaped
pieces of ivory or stone, which are worn
on the lower lip through holes which
have been pierced for their insertion.
These holes are made just below each
corner Of the mouth, and enlarged by the
insertion of graduated ivory plugs, until
large enough to receive the labret. Tat
tooing, which is universal among the
women is said to be or comparatively re-
cent origin. The pattern most commonly
seen is that OF radiating lines to the chin
from the corners of the mouth
The Eskimos of the western Alaska
coast frequent St Michael for trading
purposes, and the company stores there
are filed with skins. pelts and garments
made from them. There is characteristic
work in the basket making, carving and
etching. kayaks and bidarkas in minia-
ture and fully equipped, and curious orna-
ment sand trinkets in walrus ivory. Imi-
tative power is shown in their work. but
there is little ingenuity displayed. In
yal
structure of considerable size, called the
Kashim (accent on last syllable). which
is used as a general meeting place for the
men. Boys of fourteen and the unmar-
ried men sleep there, their food being
brought to them there by the women of
their families. Women are not permitted
to enter the Kashim save on certain fes-
tai and ceremonial occasions. On the
other hand, the family home is the pc
culiar domain of the women, and men and
boys not of the family concerned are not
allowed to enter these. The Eskimos
have no written or printed language, the
mystical and supernatural tales which
are numerous in their folklore. and upon
which their conceptions and belefs are
formed, being handed down from father
to son. and learned through constant
repetition. These are recited by the elders
to the young men in the Kashim, and are
subsequently rehearsed by them until full
ly learned.
When a child Is born it is the custom
to name it from the person who died last
/ IN the village. especially II that person
was a relative. The feeling is strong that
the dead shall always have a living repre-
sentative to care for his memory. II born
away from the village. at n camp. or on
the tundra, the child IS given the name
, OF any neighboring object that strikes the
mothers eye, such q mountain. plain,
/ lake. or bush When q man reaches ad-
+ vanced years he often changes his name
hoping thereby 70 thus secure an eXten-
sion Of life THIS new name is usually
+ determined BY the possession. fancied or
+ otherwise. Of some peculiar trait or tai
. ont The new name being one chosen, il
! Is considered bad form for any one 70 al
+ lude to or mention The Old one.
J-ndesired female children were former
( Is killed at birth Since they added q
the number TO be fed. ard DO not contrib
ute to the family food supply. they were
/ looked upon as q burden IN such case
T they were taken 10 the graveyard naked,
their mouths filed with snow, and thus
exposed until they froze 70 death. under
+ the circumstances speedy process. The
seovy was told IN me in 81 Michael of an
i eskimo of unusual intelligence one who
J: had been associated with Russians and
white men Tor many years. was even q
( member OF the Russian Catholic church
who remarked one day. quite casually
I .hat another givI had been born 70 hin.
+ adding: I vas going 10 throw her away
! on tie tundra. but somehow. / could 10,