E. W. HAWKES THE DANCE FESTIVALS OF THE ALASKAN ESKIMO 3y 



Suddenly the drummers cease and rap sharply on the inglak 

 with their drumsticks. The dancers stop in the midst of their 

 movements and stamp on the floor, first with one foot then with 

 the other, placing their hands on their shoulders, bringing them 

 down over their bodies as though wiping off some unseen thing. 

 Then they slap their thighs and sit down. I am informed that 

 this is to "wipe off" any uncleanness (wahok) that might offend 

 the shades of the dead. 



Then the namesakes of the dead troop into the 'kasgi, and 

 take their places in the center of the room between the two lines. 

 To each, the na'skuk hands a bowl of water and a kantag of 

 frozen reindeer meat cut into small pieces. The namesakes 

 drop a small portion of the meat on the floor. The essence is 

 evidently thought to pass below to the waiting inua. Then 

 they finish the remainder. At the same time a large amount of 

 frozen meat and fish is brought in and distributed among the 

 guests. This is done at the end of each day. 



The fourth day the chorus leader mounts the top of the 

 kasgi and begins again the invitation song. The people scatter 

 to the burying ground or to the ice along the shore according to the 

 spot where they have lain their dead. They dance among the 

 grave boxes so that the shades who have returned to them, when 

 not in the kasgi, may see that they are doing them honor. 



During the dancing the children of the village gather in 

 the kasgi, carrying little kantags and sealskin sacks. The 

 women on returning bring great bags of frozen blueberries and 

 reindeer fat, commonly called "Eskimo Ice Cream," with which 

 they fill the bowls of the children, but the young rogues 

 immediately slip their portions into their sacks (poksrut) 

 and hold out their dishes for more, crying in a deafening 

 chorus, "Wunga-Tuk" (Me too). This part of the festival 



