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localities, each bay or fiord generally having its own. He must
always be a distinguished person so far as concerns the
accomplishments necessary for a first rate hunter. When he dies
his son has the first claim to be his successor, if he possesses
the qualities required. If not, another is appointed who
probably has already been elected during the father’s life.
Several facts seem to prove that THE WESTERN ESKIMO
OCCUPY A HIGHER STAGE OF SOCIAL ORGANISATION than the
Eastern tribes. This is manifested in the more favourable
conditions for the accumulation of individual property. The same,
however, is on the other hand limited by a remarkable tendency
to prodigality in distributing gifts in order to acquire reputation.
This kind of ambition again creates a division with regard to
social position evidently allied to the rank system of their
southern Indian neighbours. In connection with warfare among
the tribes it has even led to the custom of keeping slaves, of
all habits the one apparently most at variance with Eskimo
social life.
The Inland Eskimo who inhabit the shores of the river
Kuskokwim were stated by Wrangell to number 7000 souls.
They had their fixed dwellings along the river, while they roamed
about on hunting excursions during the summer season. Each
village had its Kashim or council house, the interior of which
was furnished with amphitheatre seats surrounding the stage
for performances, and in the middle was found the hearth for
heating the room. This building as to ordinary use was reserved
exclusively for the adult of male population, partly for working,
partly for holding council. All public affairs were here
discussed and decided. Another employment of it was for public
festivals. The season for these assemblies was opened with an
exhibition showing what each hunter had earned during the
course of the past year. Even what children might have caught
of birds and fishes was not omitted on these occasions, stuffed
specimens being arranged on extended lines sufficiently lightened
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