230 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



alike," as Mr. Keane tersely says, "are true pagans, or idol-worshippers. Their gods are 

 carnivorous, and are fond of raw flesh, which is accordingly thrust between their teeth at stated 

 times." As long as things go well with him, the Samoyede is content to be regarded as a 

 Christian; but should his reindeer die or other catastrophe happen, he returns to his ancient 

 gods Num and Chaddi. 



Of all the Christian teaching, that relating to marriage and chastity has the least influence 

 on converted Samoyedes, Tunguses, and others. An observer in Central Siberia writes as 

 follows: "The feeling of modesty seems to be entirely lacking here. Any one not accustomed 

 to this kind of life is so much shocked and degraded in his own eyes by what he is obliged 

 to see and hear, that he is ready to despise himself and the whole world. This lack of 

 modesty is furthered by the close contiguity in which married and unmarried persons -live." 

 Exchange of wives is a common form of hospitality. Brandy, the scourge of all the northern 

 races, makes trade very unprofitable to these peoples; for whenever it is wanted, traders and 

 whalers obtain any quantity of skins and walrus teeth for liquor of the very worst and 

 cheapest quality. Notwithstanding this weakness, Mr. Rae, who lived among them, expresses 

 a high opinion of the Samoyedes, considering them superior in generosity and general character 

 to the Russians who are found in their country. 



The Ostiaks, one of the three tribes of Finnic stock inhabiting the most westerly part of 



Siberia, are scattered about 

 in groups along the basin of 

 the Ob River, northward 

 towards the Arctic Ocean, 

 and eastward towards the 

 River Yenisei. In a wide 

 domain of about 400,000 

 square miles they do not 

 number more than 25,000, 

 though once accounted a 

 powerful people. Their old 

 national organisation is 

 broken up, and it is prob- 

 able that they will ultimately 

 be absorbed among the 

 Russian settlers, as only the 

 Ural Mountains, which are 

 comparatively near, divide 

 them from Russia in Europe. 

 They have now no towns or 

 villages, although they are 

 divided into many tribes. 

 Their dress is the same as 

 that of Russian peasants. 

 For food they are dependent 

 on the spoils of the chase 

 and the rlsh which are 

 plentiful in their rivers. The 

 Ostiaks are short of stature, 

 with dark hair and eyes and 

 flat faces. In complexion 

 and general appearance they 

 are not unlike some of the 

 Chinese. They are noted 



Photo by J. SzomlMl/,1/] 



A SAMOYEDE MAN AND WOMAN. 



[ Vienna. 



