CUSTOMS OF THE ESKIMOS. 167 
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 func- 
tion. 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 deer-skin. 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 them in the 
same community, but some rise to much greater distinc- 
tion than others. 
These wizards are said to be taught from youth by one 
of the deputy chief friends, named “ Tornat,” and some 
of them are supposed to have great power with the spirits. 
At times, when the people are threatened with famine, or 
are in distress of any kind, the angokoke is requested 
to intercede for them. Supposing it is food that is 
wanted, he arranges for an interview with Tornarsuk, 
the chief of the devils. In order to do this, the ango- 
koke, accompanied by one other man, goes down to the 
water's edge in the early morning at the hour of low 
tide. Here his companion binds him in a doubled-up 
position, so that his knees meet his face, and lashes him 
up with stout thongs so tightly that he is unable to 
move hand or foot. In this helpless condition his com- 
panion leaves him, with his walrus harpoon lying by his 
side and the rising waters lapping at his feet. What 
immediately follows only the angokoke knows, but I 
have been informed by the wizards themselves— and 
