NELSON] TOBACCO BAGS—THE KASHIM 285 
Figure 2, plate LXxxvu, represents one of these bags, which was 
obtained at Paimut, on the lower Yukon. It is about 10 inches deep, 
and is intended for carrying the pipe, tobacco, flint, steel, and tinder. 
The back is of winter reindeer skin, with the hair cut close; the 
front is of the skin of Parry’s marmot; around the lower edge and near 
the upper border are sewed strips of wolverine skin. The lower two- 
thirds of the bag is ornamented by a pattern of white-hair deerskin 
with two narrow strips of black skin welted in the seams, and a row 
of small tufts of red worsted spaced around at regular intervals. The 
mouth of the bag is surrounded by pattern work of white and dark 
threads on narrow strips of yellow and black skin, the extreme edge 
being bound with calico. 
A similar bag, of nearly the same size and shape (number 48136), was 
obtained at Cape Darby. As is usual in all these bags, the bottom is 
rounded and the top straight. The lower two-thirds is fringed with 
a narrow Strip of mink skin, inside which is a pattern made with strips 
of white reindeer skin, with narrow strips of black skin welted into the 
seams, and two series of small red worsted tags spaced all around. The 
border of the bag is of white, parchment-like sealskin, and the string 
for closing it is of the same material. 
Figure 1, plate LXxxvi, represents a smaller bag of the same shape, 
but with less ornamentation. It is 54 inches deep, and is made of deer- 
skin, which is worn nearly bare of hair by use. A band of skin is sewed 
around the mouth and little strings of red and white beads, about an 
inch in length, hang in pairs around the lower border and sides, each 
string having pendent from it a small tuft of mink fur. 
HOUSE-LIFE AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 
THE KASHIM 
Among the Eskimo in every village of the Alaskan mainland and the 
islauds of Bering strait the kashim is the center of social and religious 
life. In it every man has a recognized place according to his standing 
in the community, and it is also the common sleeping place for the men. 
The women and the children live in houses apart and the men sleep 
with their families only occasionally. 
When a new kashim is to be built the villagers of Norton sound make 
a song of invitation to people of the same tribe living in neighboring 
places, which is learned by one of the young men, who is then sent to 
invite the guests. The messenger goes to the designated village, where 
he enters the kashim and during a dance sings his song of invitation to 
both men and women. When an invitation of this kind is given all 
respond and join in building the new kashim. This is said to produce 
friendly feeling between the neighboring places, which will render them 
successful in their hunting. 
