322 THE HUDSON BAY ESKIMO. 



, FKSTIVAI.S. 



Feasts are giveu now and then to celebrate success in hunting and 

 similar achievements. 



lu 1883 I was invited to attend a least of furs to be given by one of 

 the most energetic of the Indians. We repaired to the tents spread on 

 the top of a high wall of rock a few rods from my house. As I ap- 

 proached the scene I observed a tent of different construction. It was 

 nearly oval at its base and had a diameter of about 18 feet and a length 

 ofiabout 25 feet. The top was drawn to an apex resembling the com- 

 mon roof of a house. The entrance to the structure faced southeast. 

 On a pole, supported with one end on the apex of the tent and the-other 

 resting on a post, were numbers of skins of various animals — wolves, 

 wolverine, beaver, otter, foxes, and muskrat, together with a number 

 of the finest reindeer skins. The sound of the drum was heard within 

 the structure and as I approached the door the noise ceased. I paused 

 and was invited to enter. Immediately two old men next the drummer 

 moved to one side and motioned me to sit down on the pile of deer- 

 skins reserved for me. It was evident that the feast had been in prog- 

 ress for some time. Around the interior of the structure groups of men 

 were idly disposed, some reclining and others standing. Not a word 

 was spoken for some time, and this gave me opportunity to look around. 

 The floor was covered with boughs from the neighboring spruce trees, 

 arranged with unusual care, forming a soft carpeting for those seated 

 within. I saw a number of piles of deerskins and several small heaps 

 covered with cloth. To break the silence I inquired if the drum was 

 tired. A smile greeted the inquiry. Immediately an old man came 

 forward, tightened the snare of the drum, and arranged the string, sus- 

 pending it from one of the tent poles at the proper height for use. He 

 then dipped his fingers into a vessel of water and sprinkled a few drops 

 on the membrane of the drumhead to prevent it from breaking under 

 the blows to be delivered. The iierformer then seized the drumstick 

 with the right hand and gave the membrane a few taps; the transverse 

 cord of twisted sinew, holding the small cylinders of wood attached to 

 it, repeated the vibration with increased emphasis. A song was begun 

 and the drum beaten in rythm to the monotonous chant of o-ho, o-ho, 

 etc. Three songs with tympanic accompaniment followed. The songs 

 appeared alike and were easily learned. In the meanwhile the guests 

 were treated to a strange-looking compound which had lain hidden be- 

 neath one of the cloths and is known as "pemmican." I was solicited 

 to accept a piece. The previously assembled guests had either bi-ought 

 their own bowls and saucers to eat fi-om or else appropr ated those 

 available. Not to be at a loss, one of the young men remarked that he 

 would find one. From among the accumulated filth around one of the 

 center poles supporting the structure a bowl was produced. The man 

 coolly took the handkerchief which was tied around his forehead to 

 keep his matted hair from his face and wiped out tlie interior of the 



