INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 211 



them having- with them their walking staves. It was possibly a half 

 hour before the}^ were exhausted in this exercise. I was told that 

 such a circle was formed when the Indian Point and Plover Bay 

 natives were received, and that the exercise was held on this occasion 

 as if a reception of guests was taking place, as the people believed 

 that no visit would be made that season by the Indian Point and Plover 

 Bay natives. The second feature of the programme was a feast. The 

 women of Oozuk's household brought some venison and Russian 

 tobacco which had been recently secured in Siberia and placed them, 

 with substantial viands of walrus and seal meat, I believe, on a walrus 

 skin which had been laid on the ground. Then the very old men of 

 the community were invited to the repast. Later Oozuk gave small 

 pieces of tobacco to some men who were less aged than the others 

 and who were less intimate with him. Tossing in the blanket con- 

 cluded the ceremonies. 



Marriage cuatonis. — Boys and girls of tender age are engaged to be 

 married, but may make different contracts later on. When a young 

 man desires to marry, his father and one or two other male relatives 

 voice his request to the father of the young woman who is the object 

 of his affections. A price is agreed upon, which in due time the lover 

 pays for his bride. During a period lasting from six months to a year, 

 there is an engagement. The bride-elect visits the mother of her lover 

 a few times, spending the night with her, but carefully avoiding her 

 intended husband. I believe that the engagement begins with a dance 

 at the young man's house, given by his father, when the young man 

 takes the young woman as his partner in the dance. The wedding 

 ceremony consists of a dance at the house of the girl's father, after 

 which the bride accompanies the groom to his house as his wife. If 

 in due time no children are born to the couple, they request a child 

 from the family of one of their near kindred, and as a rule are gratified, 

 retaining the child thereafter as their own. The first baby is not given 

 in this way and the second very rarely. After one set of children has 

 been raised the husband is apt to take a second wife, a younger woman, 

 in the hope of enlarging his family. 



AMUSEMENTS. 



Wrestling. — Primarily the dances are the great functions and render 

 most enjoyment. Wrestling is indulged in frequently, either inside 

 of the house or out of doors. It makes no difference that there is snow 

 on the ground or that the thermometer indicates a freezing tempera- 

 ture. If out of doors, the contestants are stripped to the waist, while 

 they go almost nude indoors. The two contestants generall}' lock arms 

 over each other's neck, and strive each to bear the other down, push- 

 ing and pulling each other. The hold is broken now and again when 

 one tries to catch the leg of his opponent, or to slap him vigorously on 



