The Nonempirical Environment of the Arctic Alaskan Eskimos

A variety of nonempirical phenomena, which included ghosts, dragons, and giant birds, significantly influenced Eskimo life in Arctic Alaska during the mid-19th century. Many otherwise excellent hunting and camping areas were avoided because of the activities of these "creatures." Although the orientation of the Eskimos toward nonempirical phenomena has been altered by the widespread social changes in Arctic Alaska during the past century, belief in their existence was not eliminated from the Eskimos' world view. It seems that the beliefs of the early Christian missionaries were compatible with indigenous Eskimo beliefs, and thus it was possible for the two world views to fuse or syncretize rather than for one to replace the other.