fod 
NELSON] GREAT FEAST TO THE DEAD 367 
at me. Whatare you saying of us Kuskokwim people? See here what 
we bring you for presents.” He then threw down some skins he had 
in his hands and went out, but returned immediately, dragging in sev- 
eral large deerskins, which were placed in the same pile, and was fol- 
lowed by four companions, who came from the same place, each of 
whom added to the pile. My interpreter told me that this was the 
customary offering of guests who came from a distance. 
T then sent him out to my sledge to obtain some articles with which 
to make our offering in the same manuer, so as to observe the custom of 
propitiatory gifts. He returned with some leaf tobacco, which he 
brought in while the singing still continued, crying out, as had the 
others, “Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! See here. What are you saying about 
us St Michael people?” Throwing the tobacco on the common heap, 
he went out and returned with one end of a roll of calico in his hands, 
drawing the remainder through the entrance hole with great delibera- 
tion, to make it appear as long as possible. An old man of the village 
arose to distribute these offerings, and with this the day’s entertainment 
was closed. Thisis called the guests’ day, or yu-gukh’-tut. The guests 
from closely neighboring villages are not expected to make propitia- 
tory presents at these festivals, as they reciprocate by giving feasts 
themselves, but those from afar are looked upon with disfavor unless 
they make the customary gifts. Should the guest wish to take part in 
any of the dances, it is almost imperative that he should have made 
such presents on his arrival. The guests at these festivals are fur- 
nished with food both for themselves and their dogs during the time of 
their attendance. 
Second day 
The kashim was filled with people in the evening, as it was the day 
before. The drummers and singers were arranged in the same position, 
and several songs were sung in time to the drums, one of which, 
intended to describe the dangers and difficulties of a journey, is trans- 
lated as follows: 
We will sing a song. 
We will go down the current. 
The wayes will rise; 
The waves will fall. 
The dogs will grow] at us. 
After several songs had been sung, one of the men making the feast 
came in suddenly with his face bent toward the floor and made a feint as 
if intending to dance; then wheeled about abruptly and went out. His 
place was taken at once by five men and five women, also feast givers, 
dressed in fine new clothing. Some of the women wore men’s clothes 
and some women’s garments, thus indicating the sex of the person for 
whom they were making the feast. After a short dance these five went 
out and were replaced by others until all the feast givers had danced. 
This completed the second day’s performance. In this dance some of 
the men wore wolfskin fillets and some of the women fillets made from 
