their neighbors,
the Dene, in this same manner, representing them by masks with very
large noses and sullen features.

[11] These are the northern names. In the southern or Yukon dialect
black is Tunguli; white Katughuli; red, Kauiguli; green, Tcununguli.

The endings and pronunciation of similar Eskimo words are somewhat
different in Arctic Alaska and on the Yukon River; sufficiently so as
to produce two distinct dialects. For this reason I have given the
forms from both sections.

[12] Red is obtained from red ochre; white from white clay; black from
soot or ashes; green from oxide of copper.

THE DANCE FESTIVALS

The Dance Festivals of the Alaskan Eskimo are held during that cold,
stormy period of the winter when the work of the year is over and
hunting is temporarily at an end. At this season the people gather in
the kasgi to celebrate the local rites, and at certain intervals
invite neighboring tribes to join in the great inter-tribal festivals.
This season of mirth and song is termed "Tcauyavik" the drum dance
season, from "Tcauyak" meaning drum. It lasts from November to March,
and is a continuous succession of feasts and dances, which makes glad
the heart of the Eskimo and serves to lighten the natural depression
caused by day after day of interminable wind and darkness. A brisk
exchange of presents at the local festivals promotes good feeling, and
an interchange of commodities between the tribes at the great feasts
stimulates trade and results in each being supplied with the
necessities of life. For instance, northern tribes visiting the south
bring presents of reindeer skins or mukluk to eke out the scanty
supply of the south, while the latter in return give their visitors
loads of dried salmon which the northerners feed to their dogs.

The festivals also serve to keep alive the religious feeling of the
people, as evidenced in the Dance to the Dead, which allows free play
to the nobler sentiments of filial faith and paternal love. The
recital of the deeds of ancient heroes preserves the best traditions
of the race and inspires the younger generation. To my mind, there is
nothing which civilization can supply which can take the place of the
healthy exercise, social enjoyment, commercial advantages, and
spiritual uplift of these dances. Where missionary sentiment is
overwhelming they are gradually being abandoned; where there is a
mistaken opinion in regard to their use, they have