THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Reindeer-hunters of the Middle Anadyr told me that before starting in canoes in pursuit of animals, they would chew agaric because that made them more nimble on the hunt.  A native fellow traveller of mine, after taking agaric, would lay aside his snow-shoes and walk through the deep snow hour after hour by the side of his dogs for the mere pleasure of exercise, and without any feeling of fatigue.  During this period the agaric-eater sings and dances.  He frequently bursts into loud peals of laughter without any apparent reason. His face acquires a darker hue and twitches nervously; his eyes are now contracted, and again almost bursting from their sockets; his mouth puckers and grins or spreads into a broad smile.

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The agaric spirits will grasp him under his arms, and lead him through the entire world, showing him some real things, and deluding him with many unreal apparitions.  The paths they follow are very intricate.  They delight in visiting the places where the dead live.

Bogoras/Chukchee, 1975