SIBERIA 



231 



A GROUP OF GOLDS. 



among other Siberians 

 for the dexterity with 

 which they capture or 

 kill the wild reindeer 

 that roam over the 

 dreary tundras, or 

 marshes, of which their 

 domain largely con- 

 sists. They tie leathern 

 cords across the tops 

 of the antlers of tame 

 deer, and turn them 

 loose one by one when 

 in the neighbourhood 

 of a herd of wild 

 animals. The wild 

 doer attack the tame 

 deer, and in the con- 

 test which ensues their 

 antlers become en- 

 tangled in the leathern 

 cords, which hold them 

 until the Ostiak hunters come within bowshot, when the wild ones become their prey. 



The wolf and the bear are regarded by the Ostiaks as highly gifted creatures, and as 

 such are celebrated in some of their songs. When a bear is killed, its skin is stuffed with hay, 

 and the people gather round their fallen enemy to celebrate their triumph with appropriate 

 songs of mockery; bub when that ceremony has been performed, the stuffed skin is set upright 

 on its hind legs, and regarded with all the veneration due to a guardian power. The curious 

 worship of the bear, which is found among American Indians, Ainu, and others, runs through 

 all the Hyperboreans of the Old World. From the Tuuguses to the Finns the bear takes 

 rank, immediately after the sky and the queen of the under-world, as a divine being, particularly 

 as the lord of all spirits, a god endowed with power and wisdom hidden under a bear's skin. 

 Many superstitions are connected with the beast, and women may not cross his trail, nor even 

 touch the hunting-gear. 



The Ostiaks believe in a " third world," where there are no more bodily ailments; but 

 they cannot attain that heavenly state. They are fated to pass only into the "second world," 

 a far less happy place of existence, lying somewhere beyond the frozen ocean, far north of the 

 estuary of their great river, the Ob. Belief in Shamanism governs their whole life. Nowhere 

 else does the wizard, or medicine-man, enjoy more influence than amongst them. The brave 

 man, they say, may possess muscular strength, but the Shaman possesses the wisdom which can 

 make that strength useless or effective. The man of strong sinew may draw the bow or hurl 

 the dart, but the course of the arrow or the spear is directed by the Shaman. 



The people of Yakutsk, the largest province in Siberia, are of Turki stock, very energetic 

 and versatile. Their territory lies on both sides of the River Lena. Yakutsk is said to be the 

 coldest place on the face of the earth. During a part of the winter the thermometer goes 

 down to 58 Fahr. below zero, and the ground is frozen to a depth of 50 feet. So accustomed, 

 however, are the people to these low temperatures, that women may be seen with bare arms 

 chatting pleasantly, as if the Aveather were like that of an English spring. The people are of 

 middle height, of a light copper colour, Avith black hair, Avhich the men cut close to the head. 

 Their faces express gentleness and indolence rather than the vigour and passion which they 

 certainly possess. As a race they are good-tempered, orderly, hospitable, and industrious. 

 They are capable of long-continued work, and endure privation with much patience. Their 



