210 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



and seal meat, and pickled red l)erries, which were served in two very 

 large oblong wooden plates; the black skin of a whale, but no other 

 kind of whale meat could have been eaten at this time. No white man's 

 food would have been deemed proper at this ceremonious repast. This 

 sacrifice to the "Moon God" was made during February by the heads 

 of four different households, and by Assoone, the chief, during March, 

 and six times during April by as many heads of families. 



Mdhdtak, or Ola Hola {held hy Timkaroo^ Shoolooh, Oozuh^ and 

 others). — This dance lasts during only one day. A walrus skin was 

 placed on the ground near the house between two spears which stood 

 erect, and upon this skin several wooden plates were set containing 

 food. Near one of the spears were several wooden effigies, exceedingly 

 small, which I rashly picked up and examined, thereby committing 

 sacrilege, and was requested to restore them to their former positions 

 straightway. After the guests had feasted, a repast of which Abra- 

 hamsen and I were invited to partake, the walrus skin was ceremo- 

 niously removed and the men and boys took hold of its sides and at a 

 given signal tossed Timkaroo, the chief functionary of the dance, high 

 into the air. The person who is to be tossed stands upright in the cen- 

 ter of the walrus skin and is thrown 10 or 12 feet upward, and, if the 

 toss has not been foul, will come down safely on the feet on the walrus 

 skin. This exercise is called "Ovuktuk." After one or two men have 

 been tossed it is the turn of the women and children, the latter being 

 sometimes compelled to go through the ordeal against their will. It is 

 a very dangerous ceremony, I believe. On one occasion I saw a young 

 woman thrown foul by accident and fall from a height of 10 or 12 feet 

 to the hard ground. She was rendered unconscious for a time. Her 

 left clavicle was broken, but otherwise, beyond a bad shaking up, she 

 was not seriously injured. Trading follows the "Ovuktuk," being 

 conducted within the house, accompanied by singing and dancing. I 

 think that every householder celebrates the "Mahatak" or Ola Hola 

 annually. 



'"'' The Kazzeeva.'^'' — During a four days' dance given b}^ Assoone, 

 the chief, not the dance called Kazzeeva Ghulekyyuke, the noteworthy 

 feature was recitations on the part of the women and girls, after danc- 

 ing with a male partner. These recitations related feats of some one 

 of their ancestors or present relatives, such as crossing to Indian Point 

 in rough weather or running from a polar bear. I observed that in 

 this dance an elderly woman beat a drum and was a very important 

 functionary. If my memory serves me correctly, Assoone, his two 

 sons, and his brother ran round the center pole, rapidly keeping the 

 pace for a long time in spite, doubtless, of giddiness and fatigue. 



OozuFs dance. — A few days after his return from a visit to Indian 

 Point, Oozuk celebrated a dance in front of the mission house. The 

 men and boys ran round with all their speed in a circle, a number of 



