260 SUMMER TENTS. SEASONS. 



dancing, in which the women join, for working, conversing and 

 idling, whilst the hoys are unconsciously learning the customs and 

 imbibing the sentiments of their elders. 



In summer they live in conical shaped tents of deer or seal-skins, 

 according as they are inland or coast people. Four or five poles, 

 from twelve to thirteen feet long, slung together by a stout thong 

 passing through holes in their tops, are spread out to the proper 

 size, and within them, at a mark on each, about six feet from the 

 ground, a large hoop is fastened. Smaller poles are then placed 

 between the others in a circle on the ground, and leaning against 

 the hoop to complete the frame of the tent. The skins are in two 

 parts, each having a long corner sewed into a sort of pocket to fit 

 the top of the long poles, over which one is placed above the other 

 from opposite sides, so as to surround the whole framework, and 

 allow the edges of one set of skins to overlap those of the other, 

 and be secured by a few thongs. A large flap is sometimes cut in 

 one side to form a window, fitted with a transparent membrane, 

 over which the flap of skin may be replaced as a blind during 

 sleeping-time. A tent of this kind is called a " tu'-pak," and makes 

 a very comfortable summer abode, one side of which can be kept 

 open to any extent, according to the weather : it is easily trans- 

 ported, and may be set up or taken down in an incredibly short 

 time. 



Commencing with the first new moon after the freezing-over of 

 Elson Bay, which took place on the 24th of September, 1852, and 

 on the lGth of September, 1853, the Point Barrow people divide the 

 year into four seasons, which they call O'-ki-ak, including October, 

 November, and December ; O'-ki-ok, January, February, and March; 

 O-pen-rak'-sak, April, May, and part of June ; and O-pen-rak', the 

 remaining part of June, together with July, August, and Septem- 

 ber. The successive moons, to the number of twelve, are 

 also named by them, evidently in reference to their own occu- 

 pations, to the phenomena observable in the season itself, or in 

 animals, such as their migrations, &c, though we have been able to 

 make out the precise meaning of only a few of them. These vary a 

 little in different localities; but the setting-in of the winter being 

 taken as the beginning of the year in all parts of the country, and 

 the summer moons being but little noticed, no confusion seems to 

 result. Taking them as they occurred in the last season, 1853-4 

 each tad'-kak or moon was given us as follows. 



I. 1853, Oct. 2, Shud'-le-wing, sewing. 

 II. „ Nov. 1, Shud'-le-wing ai-pa, sewing. 

 III. „ Nov. 30, Kai-wig'-win, rejoicing. 



