occupatio:ns op the Eskimos 



also blowing with the mouth and motioning the departure of 

 the evil spirit. This kind of audible supplication is often 

 carried on for a considerable length of time. 



The Eskimos, like almost every other people under the 

 sun, possess some form of worship, and believe in a spirit 

 world. They believe in the existence somewhere of good and 

 evil spirits which govern and control this world. The Great 

 Good Spirit (Cood-Ia-pom-e-o), they believe, dwells in an 

 upper world, of which the sky is the floor ; but the evil spirits, 

 governed by their chief, " Tornarsuk," dwell in a world 

 beneath ours, which forms a kind of great roof over the world 

 below. The earth and this under-world are connected with 

 each other by certain mountain clefts, and by various 

 entrances from the sea. The spirits of those who meet with 

 violent death go to dwell with Oood-la-pom-e-o, in the upper 

 world; but for those who die from other causes there is a 

 place prepared below, in the land of plenty, with the evil 

 spirits. 



These latter deities are supposed to have the greater power 

 of the two upon earth, and consequently their favor is sought, 

 and to them supplication is usually made, though over certain 

 forces, events and circumstances the Great Good Spirit is 

 supposed to have control. Eor example, he is believed to be 

 the deity governing the frosts, so that in the fall of the year, 

 when the ice is insufficiently strong for hunting purposes, his 

 favor is invoked. 



Communication with the spirits is usually held through 

 wizards, or " angokokes," who are looked upon as wise men 

 by the people, and are appointed to fulfil this function. They 

 are ordained for their sacred calling when youths, and as a 

 distinguishing mark of their profession wear upon their 

 backs a string of ornaments, mostly made of seal or deerskin. 

 These are given them at the various places visited by them 

 in recognition of their office. The angokokes are appointed 

 because of their qualifications. There may be a number of 



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