136 



of these specimens, which were found by a trader concealed in a 

 bundle of skins which he had bought from an Eskimo (Plate 

 XXXIV b and c). 



At one time a whale fetish with a hole in the middle, so that 

 it could be worn around the neck, was given me surreptitiously 

 by an Alaskan Eskimo. This particular fetish is worn by the 

 harpooner of a whaling crew. He had just lost a whale, and 

 wanted to get rid of his bad luck. 



It should be noted here that the assistance of the individual 

 spirit is given grudgingly, and often the owner has to chastise it 

 by stripping the fetish of its garments, subjecting it to blows, 

 and by other forceful means until it grants good fortune again. 

 If it proves obstinate, it is given away, as noted above. It is said 

 to lose its power when taken off the person, and to regain it 

 when put on, which may be due to the idea that it derives a 

 certain vitality from the body of its owner. 



Various charms are worn to ward off sickness. A thong of 

 sealskin around the wrist is an almost universal custom. Wooden 

 and fur amulets prepared by some famous shaman are in constant 

 use. They are worn attached to the clothing, or over the part 

 affected. Strange or peculiarly shaped objects are particularly 

 efficacious. The feet of birds are a common amulet (Plate 

 XXXIV a). 



THE LIFE AFTER DEATH. 



Death is not considered by the Eskimo as the end of exist- 

 ence, but merely as a break in one's life. For this reason articles 

 which will be useful are placed on the graves of the deceased. 

 No Eskimo would touch these under any consideration. 1 When 

 they rot away, it is said that the shade has taken them. 



The Eskimo distinguish between a man's body and his 

 spirit. There is also another soul which corresponds to the 

 vitality of the body, as exemplified in the breath and warmth 

 of the same. This soul leaves a man at death, but the spirit 

 lingers around the village for three days before taking his final 



1 A Moravian missionary told me about a modern Labrador Eskimo who wished to possess 

 a fine knife, which he had seen on an old grave. He did not dare to steal it from the dead, 

 so procured a spy-glass which he left in its place for the use of the deceased. 



