The Press., 1904-12-07
FEAST OF THE WHALE
AN ESKIMO BANQUET THAT MAY
 LAST A WHOLE DAY.


 Incident of the Social Life Am0ng
 the Natives of Arctic Alaska After
 the Hunting Season Is Over The
 Return of the Fleet to Shore.
 Writing of the industrial and social methods and customs of the Eskimos of arctic Alaska, Edward A. McIlhen- ny, iR the Century, says:
 The principal occupation of these Eskihos (of arctic Alaska) during the spring is the hunting of the bow head whale in the leads, or open water, and among the foe ice of the Arctic ocean. The taking of a whale is always a time Of great rejoicing with these peo- pie, :Or it means not only an abun- dance of food and fuel, but a large amount of valuable trading material.
 Aftar the whaling season is over the boatss which have been used in the chase are gathered on the leads be tween the pack and shore ice, which is often some miles from shore, at the foot of some road that has been cut through the rough ice from the land to the water. The most successful boats crew. with their umiak Ca whal ing boat covered with skins), takes the lead. followed by the other boats in the order of their success. The harpoons, fioatsss paddles and everything pertain ing to the chase of the whale are placed in their respective positions. The umiak is then placed on a flat ivory :runnered sled and dashed firmly in place. The owner, who Is called omelic (headman), stands on the ice at the right hand side of the bow; the boat steerer stands at the stern and the paddlers stand at their respective places along the sides of the boat. When all is ready the omelic gives the word 10 go forward, and each of the crew slips over his shoulder a broad breast strap of sealskin, which is at- tached to a short line made fast to the thwarts of the boat. When all is ready the boat is pulled forward few lengths and the next boat in order goes through the same form, moving on in it's turn. until all the umiaks are strung out in d Ion; line on the grounded ice ready for their return to land.
 z At a signal from the head boat all move forward, chanting weird songs of the goodness and power of the whale, for one of the superstitions of these people is that whenever working on any object to be used in whaling or doing anything connected with whaling they must constantly extol the merits of this great animal.
 Long before the boats reach shore the entire population left in the vil- lage-men. women, children and dogs cOngregate on the beach to welcome the home corners. When the first boat hears land it is brought to halt 8 few feet fRz the shore line, and it's talis- man, Which Is always carried in little pouch in the bow and may be a wolf's head, the head of a raven, iron pyrites or any odd thing. is lifted out by the omelic and held in his right hand to- ward the shore, where stands the chief medicine man of the tribe, who pours over it little fresh water to refresh 1t and thank # for the benefits given, if the boat has secured whale, or, if the boat has not been lucky, to appease any slight that may have been put upon the talisman, in the hope that it will give them better luck in the future.
 After reaching shore a day or possi- ply two may be given for preparation, and then the great feast begins. Each successful boat owner, beginning with the one whose boat secured the most whales, gives a feast, to which he in- vites all the members of the tribe and any other people who may be in the village. First a wind break of umi- aks, sails or skins is built to act as shelter against the chilly blasts of the polar winds. It is placed in the form of large circle if enough material can be secured. in the center of which a walrus hide is placed on the ground, and to its four corners are tied long ropes. which are passed over tripods placed about twenty-five feet from the skin. The ends of the ropes are then drawn tight and made fast with stout stakes driven into the ground. thus raising the skin about four feet. The skin thus becomes d platform some eight or ten feet square. which serves as sort of movable stage on which the young women dance.
 Tie feast usually begins at the time when the sun reaches a due western point. about o'clock in the afternoon. for during the eighty days of summer at Otkeavic the sun never sets, and, being without timepieces. the Eskimos mark their time by the position of the sun while it is visible and by the moon and stars when the sun has gone for the long arctic night These feasts x0 0cf hQrIPQ