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Story
December 31, 1898
Morris Tribune
Morris, Stevens County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
A returned missionary describes a unique custom among southeastern Alaskan Indians: when disputes arise, rivals settle them by tearing up their own blankets to shame each other, with the one destroying more considered the winner.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
A Duel of Blankets.
A returned missionary from southeastern Alaska tells in The Midland Christian Advocate of a strange custom among the Indians of that region:
When a difference arises between two of them, and a friendly settlement seems impossible, one of them threatens the other with dishonor. He will cover the face of his foe with shame. He executes his threat by tearing up a certain number of his own blankets. The only way his antagonist can get even with him is by tearing up a greater number of his own.
If the contest is prolonged, it results in the destruction of all the blankets they have, each Indian destroying his own. The one who destroys the greater number is regarded as having won the fight.
A returned missionary from southeastern Alaska tells in The Midland Christian Advocate of a strange custom among the Indians of that region:
When a difference arises between two of them, and a friendly settlement seems impossible, one of them threatens the other with dishonor. He will cover the face of his foe with shame. He executes his threat by tearing up a certain number of his own blankets. The only way his antagonist can get even with him is by tearing up a greater number of his own.
If the contest is prolonged, it results in the destruction of all the blankets they have, each Indian destroying his own. The one who destroys the greater number is regarded as having won the fight.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Alaska Indians
Blanket Duel
Cultural Custom
Honor And Shame
Dispute Settlement
Where did it happen?
Southeastern Alaska
Story Details
Location
Southeastern Alaska
Story Details
When a difference arises between two Indians and settlement seems impossible, one threatens dishonor by tearing up his own blankets to shame the foe. The antagonist counters by tearing up more of his own. The contest may destroy all blankets, with the one destroying more winning.