119 



to work upon, and partly explains the power which he exerts 



over them. 



When a shaman gives up his patient, everything is prepared 

 for his burial. His grave clothes, consisting of the finest rein- 

 deer, are cut out and made by the women, and the corpse is 

 hastily dressed, sometimes before the breath has left the body. 



As soon as death is certain, the household sets up an un- 

 earthly wailing, the women tearing their hair and beating their 

 breasts, and otherwise giving vent to excessive grief. The vir- 

 tues of the deceased are magnified and his faults forgotten. 

 The villagers crowd in and add their lamentations to the general 

 woe. In the evening a "head-lifting" is held, whereby the cause 

 of the sickness is discovered. When the head becomes heavy 

 it signifies an affirmative answer. At night a watch is kept 

 over the corpse, two men sitting up together for company, 

 as one might be overcome by the ghost. The body is taken 

 out the next day through the window or a hole in the side of 

 the house and buried. It is never taken out by the doorway, 

 as the ghost might find its way back. It is a great misfortune 

 to have anyone die unexpectedly in the house, as it contaminates 

 everything in it. When an inmate is near his end, you will 

 see his housemates removing all the household furniture and 

 weapons. 



BURIAL. 



Eskimo graves in Labrador are found either on a hillside 

 near the village, if the death occurred in winter, or near a camp- 

 ing site on the seashore, if the death occurred in summer. Iso- 

 lated graves are found on the tops of high hills. This place of 

 burial is said to be reserved for distinguished headmen. The 

 "old chief" at Cape Chidley was buried on top of a neighbouring 

 mountain. 



Most old graves present the appearance of a cluttered 

 heap of stones, but in a newly-made grave, the method of building 

 an enclosing wall can be distinguished (Plate XXXV A). 



Having fixed upon a place of burial, stones are piled up in 

 an oval or oblong wall 2 or 3 feet high, leaving just space enough 

 for the body. The bottom of the space is lined with moss, 



