CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS 327 



when the ice is insufficiently strong for hunting 

 purposes, his favour is invoked. 



Communication with the spirits is usually held 

 through wizards, or angpkokes, who are looked upon 

 as wise men by the people, and are appointed to fulfil 

 this function. They are ordained for their sacred 

 calling when youths, and as a distinguishing mark of 

 their profession wear upon their backs a string of 

 ornaments, mostly made of seal or deer skin. These 

 are given them at the various places visited by them 

 in recognition of their office. The angokokes are ap- 

 pointed because of their qualifications. There may be 

 a number of them in the same community, but some 

 rise to much greater distinction than others. 



These wizards are said to be taught from youth 

 by one of the deputy chief friends, named Tornat, 

 and some of them are supposed to have great power 

 with the spirits. 



At times, when the people are threatened with famine, 

 or are in distress of any kind, the angokoke is re- 

 quested to intercede for them. Supposing it is food 

 that is wanted, he arranges for an interview with 

 Tornarsuk, the chief of the devils. In order to do 

 this the angokoke, accompanied by one other man, 

 goes down to the water's edge in the early morning 

 at the hour of low tide. Here his companion binds 

 him in a doubled-up position, so that his knees meet 

 his face, and lashes him up with stout thongs so tightly 

 that he is unable to move hand or foot. In this help- 

 less condition his companion leaves him, with his walrus 

 harpoon lying by his side and the rising waters lapping 

 at his feet. What immediately follows only the ango- 

 koke knows ; but I have been informed by the wizards 



