NELSON] GREAT FEAST TO THE DEAD 367 



at me. What are you saying of us Kuskokwim people? See here what 

 we bring you for presents." He then threw down some skins lie had 

 in his hands and went out, but returned immediately, dragging in sev- 

 eral large deerskins, which were placed in the same pile, and was fol- 

 lowed by four companions, who came from the same i)lace, each of 

 whom added to the pile. My interpreter told me that this was the 

 customary offering of guests who came from a distance. 



I then sent him out to my sledge to obtain some articles with which 

 to make our offering in the same manner, so as to observe the custom of 

 propitiatory gifts. He returned with some leaf tobacco, which he 

 brought in while the singing still continued, crying out, as had the 

 others, "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! See here. What are you saying about 

 us St Michael people?" Throwing the tobacco on the common heap, 

 he went out and returned with one end of a roll of calico in his hands, 

 drawing the remainder through the entrance hole with great delibera- 

 tion, to make it appear as long as possible. An old man of the village 

 arose to distribute these offerings, and with this the day's entertainment 

 was closed. This is called the guests' day, or yu-giilh'-tut. The guests 

 from closely neighboring villages are not exi^ected to make propitia- 

 tory presents at these festivals, as they reciprocate by giving feasts 

 themselves, but those from afar are looked upon with disfavor unless 

 they make the customary gifts. Should the guest wish to take part in 

 any of the dances, it is almost imperative that he should have made 

 such ])resents on his arrival. The guests at these festivals are fur- 

 nish('d with food both for themselves and their dogs during the timeof 

 their attendance. 



Second day 



The kashini was tilled with i)eople in tlie evening, as it was the day 

 before. The drummers and singers were arranged in the same position, 

 and several songs were sung in time to the drums, one of which, 

 intended to describe the dangers and difficulties of a journey, is trans- 

 lated as follows : 



We will sing a soug. 



We will go dowu the current. 



The waves will rise; 



The waves will fall. 



The dogs will growl at us. 



After several songs had been sung, one of the men making the feast 

 came in suddenly with his face bent toward the floor and made a feint as 

 if intending to dance; then wheeled abont abruptly and went out. His 

 place was taken at once by five men and five women, also feast givers, 

 dressed in fine new clothing. Some of the women wore men's clothes 

 and some women's garments, thus indicating the sex of the i>erson for 

 whom they were making the feast. After a short dance these five went 

 out and were replaced by others until all the feast givers had danced. 

 This completed the second day's i)erforniance. In this dance some of 

 the men wore wolfskin fillets and some of the women fillets made from 



