NELSON] TOBACCO BAGS THE KASHIM 285 



Figure 2, plate Lxxxvii, represents one of these bags, wbicli was 

 obtained at Paimut, on tlie lower Yukon. It is about 10 inches deep, 

 and is intended for carrying the pipe, tobacco, flint, steel, and tinder. 

 The back is of winter reindeer skin, witli the hair cut close; the 

 front is of the skin of Parry's marmot; around the lower edge and near 

 the ni)per border are sewed strips of wolverine skin. The lower two- 

 thirds of the bag is ornamented by a pattern of white-hair deerskin 

 with two narrow strips of black skin welted in the seams, and a row 

 of small tufts of red worsted spaced around at regular intervals. The 

 mouth of the bag is surrounded by pattern work of white and dark 

 threads on narrow strips of yellow and black skin, the extreme edge 

 being bound with calico. 



A similar bag, of nearly the same size and shape (number 48136), was 

 obtained at Cape Darby. As is usual in all these bags, the bottom is 

 rounded and the top straight. The lower two- thirds is fringed with 

 a narrow strip of mink skin, inside which is a pattern made with strips 

 of white reindeer skin, with narrow strips of black skin welted into the 

 seams, and two series of small red worsted tags spaced all around. The 

 border of the bag is of white, parchment-like sealskin, and the string 

 for closing it is of the same material. 



Figure 1, plate lxxxvii, represents a smaller bag of the same shape, 

 but with less ornamentation. It is 5i inches deep, and is made of deer- 

 skin, which IS worn nearly bare of hair by use. A band of skin is sewed 

 around the mouth and little strings of red and white beads, about an 

 inch in length, hang in iiairs around the lower border and sides, each 

 string having pendent from it a small tuft of mink fur. 



HOUSE-IilFE AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 



THE KASHIM 



Among the Eskimo in every village of the Alaskan mainland and the 

 islands of Bering strait the Tcashim is the center of social and religious 

 bfe. In it every man has a recognized place according to his standing 

 in the community, and it is also the common sleeping place for the men. 

 The women and the children live in houses apart and the men sleep 

 with their families only occasionally. 



When a new kashim is to be built the villagers of Xorton sound make 

 a song of invitation to people of the same tribe living in neighboring 

 places, which is learned by one of the young men, who is then sent to 

 invite the guests. The messenger goes to the designated village, where 

 he enters the kashim and during a dance sings his song of invitation to 

 both men and women. When an invitation of this kind is given all 

 respond and join in building the new kashim. This is said to j^roduce 

 friendly feeling between the neighboring places, which will render them 

 successful in their hunting. 



