The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-08-10
THE INDIANS OF alaska
Their Condition Compared
With Former Years.
THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
Unique Tribal Customs Which Still
survive-Their Curious Religious
Ceremonials and Superstition
Appearance OF Eskimo Houses In
Greenland and Siberia.

iue EshlHlOS are tne most DOrt0er'
ly Of the inhabitants Of America.
These remarkable people are notable
for their vast linear extent and mar.
row range, extending as they do along
the Arctic coast line from Greenland
to Siberia. Throughout this extended
line there Is to be observed close
similarity in physique, language, Gus
toms, beliefs, and industries. which
dinerentiate them strkingly from
neighboring peoples. Developed by an
environment Of especial severity, they
illustrate In their dwellings, clothing,
Implements, and utensils, 4 peculiar
adaptation to local conditions, which
has been enforced in their struggle
for existence.
The houses OF snow and ice that
are to be found SO generally among
the Eekimos Of Greenland are rare in
Alaska. and are used only as temper.
ary 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
and slcping 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 subterranean. 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 Wig
orous development than those living
further south: they are also more COM
bative and treacherous. In the Be
ring Strait and lower Yukon region,
which may be taken as a general type.
the Eskimo men are Ave feet two or
three inches in height, with rounded
features and somewhat pointed chlns.
The faces are heavy. with massive
lower jaws, and fiattened noses with
low nosebridge, and at times retreat
ing 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 sickle-shaped
pieces of ivory or stone, which are
worn on the lower lip through holes
which have been pierced for their in
sertion. These holes are made just
below each corner of the mouth, and
enlarged by the insertion Of gradu-
ated ivory plugs, until large enough
to receive the labret. Tattoolng,
which Is universal among the women,
is said to be Of comparatively recent
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 filled with skins, pelts, and
garments made from them. There
is characteristic work in basket
making. carving and etching, kayaks
and bidarkas In miniature and fully
equipped, and curious ornaments and
trinkets in walrus ivory. Initiative
power Is shown In their work, but
there Is little ingenuity displayed. In
every Eskimo village there is a GEN.
trail structure of considerable size
called the Kashim accent on last
syllable), which is used as a general
meeting place for the mon. Boys of
fourteen and the unmarried men sleep
there, their food being brought to
them there by the women of their
families. Women are not permitted
to enter the Kashin save on certain
festal and ceremonial occasions. On
the other hand, the family home 10
the peculiar 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 numer-
GUS In their folklore. aad upon which
their conceptions and beliefs are form.
ed. being handed down from father to
son. and learned through constant ~
petition. These are recitsd by the
elders to the young men In the Ka-
shin. and are subsequently rehearsed
by them until fully learned.
Great DsItain's Telegraph System.
To keep the 10000 odd miles of tele-
graph line in order In Great Britain