The Cordova daily times., 1921-05-24


 the fundamental principles of the Stone Age religion of the Eskimo, especially as their beliefs were filled not only with superstitions, but were often remodeled by the native doc tors. In reality those "Onkutkuks" (medicine mem were the religious high priests more than the headers.
 The main religious idea of the na- tives was focused on the evil shad- ows and spirits which inhabited the hollows of the hummocks and roamed in certain localities of the high mountains. Native prayer was always directed to them.
 According to some authors, there was belief in a Supreme Being who created the sea, land skies and heavenly bodies, and the existence of animal and vegetable life was accredited, according to the Eskimo, to the creative power of his daughter
 But I have never been able to cor roborate this, although I have inter- viewed a good many old aborigines. In reality, the Eskimo religion ac- cording to careful analysis, was one of fear, gloom and darkness. The shades according to belief ex- isted independently, without any cen tral power, although some of them were accredited with being very friendly towards man. Their power was not as strong as that of the wicked shades, who often compelled the weaker ones to do harm and bring misfortune upon the villagers, against their own desires.
 It was also believed that after the death the soul of a bad man usually roamed around the village everlastingly watching to do some un- kind deed to his enemies.
 The Arctic aborigines firmly be- lieved that after the death of a man or boy, on the fourth day the soul of some departed villager would l undertake to conduct him into the village of dead men. In case of a woman or girl, the soul of some de- parted woman would appear on the fifth day and conduct her to the village of dead women The souls of dead animals were also conducted by their kinds of villages where the souls of animals lived, each species Ehaving their own place.
 Fhe first child born after death in village assumed the name of the departed one in order to repre- sent him or her at the great Feast of the Dead, usually celebrated after the fourth year, if the deceased was a | man or boy, and after the fifth year if woman or girl. It was believed 1 that the dead members who were not represented at these festivals, in revenge, would constantly torment the villagers and with the aid of evil spirits, would bring some great mis- fortune to their relatives.
 There was also a bladder festival where offerings were made to the souls of departed animals.
 According to Dr. E. O. Campbell, on St. Lawrence Island. there were su- perstitions connected with everything from whaling down to the cutting of the hair. Everything was done in regular way or evil consequences would follow. If mans wife was pregnant he was forbidden to cut his hair, as otherwise it was believed that some great misfortune would be. fall her or the offspring It was be- lieved that if certain stones were removed from the beach great storms would follow. Also, if any of the villagers ever cooked the skin of the whale, it would cause the entire dis appearance of the animal
 There were also a great many re- ligious rules that were strictly ob- served by the Eskimo, and count less tabooes on food and places,
 In all the tribes there was a firm belief that If man or woman died through violence or suicide his future existence would be a pleasant one, in some place where there was an abundance of fresh water, and game, and an utter absence of cold and snow.
 It was the devout duty of every