E. W. HAWKES THE DANCE FESTIVALS OF THE ALASKAN ESKIMO 15 



four feet square, and four feet deep, used in the sweat baths. 

 It is thought to be the place where the spirits sit, when they 

 visit the kasgi, during festivals held in their honor. Offerings 

 are poured to them through the cracks in the planks. In the 

 center of the floor is a round hole about two feet in diameter, 

 called the entrance hole or pugyarok. This connects with a 

 long tunnel, the agveak, which leads outside. The tunnel is 

 usually so low that it is necessary to enter in a stooping position, 

 which the Eskimo does by placing both hands on the sides of 

 the pugyarok, and drawing himself through. Some dance- 

 houses have another entrance directly into the room on a level 

 with the ground, the underground passage being used only in 

 winter. The diagram (Plate XI) gives an idea of this arrange- 

 ment. 



PARAPHERNALIA 



The drum (sauyit) 1 is the only instrument employed in the 

 dances. It is made of a circular hoop about eighteen inches in 

 width over which is stretched a resonant covering made from 

 the bladder of the walrus or seal. It is held in place by a cord 

 of rawhide (oKlinok) 2 which fits into a groove on the outer rim. 

 The cover can therefore be tightened at will. It is customary 

 during the intermissions between the dances for the drummers 

 to rub a handful of snow over the skins to prevent them from 

 cracking under the heavy blows. The drum is held aloft and 

 struck with a thin stick (mumwa). 3 It gives a deep boom in 

 answer. The shaman uses a smaller baton with which he beats 

 a continuous tattoo as an accompaniment to his songs. The 



1 Tcauyak, Yukon dialect. 



2 Loftak, Yukon dialect. 



3 Mumra, Yukon dialect. 



