ESKIMOS 169 



The Eskimos have in addition to a number of legends con- 

 cerning the creation of the animals many other folk-lore tales, 

 all of a lewd character, and often without point. 



The ideas concerning the future state of the soul are confused 

 and often contradictory. There appear to be three degrees of 

 heaven, all situated above the earth. The conditions are 

 heavenly according to the Eskimo view, which pictures such 

 places as being bright and warm, with plenty to eat and wear, 

 and little to do. It is probable that the idea of eternity {is 

 beyond the comprehension of the Eskimos. They believe that 

 the soul of the departed will enter the body of a child named 

 after it, and remain for a year, with later continued influence 

 upon the child's character. 



As before mentioned, the souls of suicides go to the upper 

 spirit world along \vith those who have observed all the taboos. 

 The transgressor of the taboos, and men lost by being carried 

 away on the ice, go to the nether world, where they are tor- 

 mented for a time by the father of Xuliayok. 



TABOOS. 



The uncivilized native has a great many strict rules to 

 observe in regard to the modes employed in killing animals, and 

 the manner and time of eating certain flesh. There are also 

 rules regarding work on different materials. If these rules are 

 not closely observed the souls of the animals become displeased, 

 and report the transgression to Nuliayok, who shows her dis- 

 pleasure by bringing sickness, ill-luck in hunting, or some other 

 calamity upon the band in this life, and punishes the individual 

 in the next. When the taboos have been broken they can only 

 be condoned by open confession, in the presence of an angekok, 

 who, through his familiar spirit, reports the confession to 

 Nuliayok, and the sin is forgiven. 



The following are a few of the many rules which must be 

 observed: The most heinous crime is the concealment by a 



