MUSIC AND GAMES. 



325 



A second lioop, two or three times as wide as the first, is prepared 

 and fitted over tlie barrel and liead. It is puslied down as far as tlie 

 elasticity of the membrane will allow, or about half the width of the top 

 hoop. Through the outer hoop have been made a number of holes and 

 corresponding but alternate holes made ia the farther edge of the barrel 

 of the drum. 



Through these holes a stout thong is threaded and passing from the 

 edge of the barrel to the outer hoop is drawn so tightly as to push the 

 inner hoop along the outer circumference of the barrel and thus tighten 

 the membrane to the required degree. The outer hoop now projects an 

 inch or more beyond the membrane and thus protects it from injury by 

 careless handling. 



Across the membrane is stretched a sinew cord on which are strung, 

 at right angles to the cord, a number of bari'els made from the quills 

 of the wing feathers of the willow ptarmigan. Across the underside 

 of the membrane is stretched ^^^s/e^^^x^^mp: 



a similar cord with quills. 

 These serve the purpose of a 

 snare on the drum. The stick 

 used lor beating the drum 

 consists of a piece of reindeer 

 horn cut so as to have a tliin 

 and narrow handle a foot in 

 length and terminating in a 

 knob more than an inch long 

 and as thick as the portion of 

 horn permits. The drum is 

 suspended from the poles of 

 the tent by means of tliongs. 

 The performer tightens the snares, and sprinkles a few drops of water 

 on the drumhead lest the blows, cause it to split under the strain. 

 Nothing is done, nothing ctmtemplated without souuding the drum. 

 It is silent only when the people are asleep or on a tramp from one 

 locality to another. 



If a person is ill the drum is beaten. If a person is weU the drum is 

 beaten. If prosiierous in the chase the drum is beaten; and if death 

 has snatched a member from the community the drum is beaten to pre- 

 vent his spirit fiom returning to torment the living. 



The drumbeat is often accompanied with singing which is the 

 most discordant of all sounds supposed to be harmonious. 



The drums used by the Little Whale river Indians (Fig. 152, No. 

 3223) differs greatly in construction from those made by the Ungava 

 Iiulians. The size is rarely so great, seldom exceeding 22 inches. 

 These drums have two heads or membranes fitted on the barrel and 

 secured by means of a single hoop for each head. The two hoops are 

 then connected by the tightening strings. 



— Dnim, Little WTiale river. 



