Omsk

OMSK, a town in the Siberian area of Asiatic Russia, in lat, 55° N., long. 38' E., on the right bank of the Irtysh, where the Om joins it. It is in the midst of a treeless steppe; violent winds bring snow, often to a depth of 6 ft., in winter, and sand storms in summer. Average January temperature 5° F, July 68° F; annual rainfall 12-4 in.; altitude 285 ft. It is on the trans-Siberian railway, and has a branch linking with Sverdlovsk through Ishim and Tyumen. Steamer routes connect it with the Ob northwards along the Irtysh, and southwards with the Altai towns and Lake Zaisan, and caravan routes from the Central Asiatic republics and Kazakstan converge upon it. Its population has grown from 37,376 in 1897 to 115,523 in 1926, but its appear ance is still that of a frontier town, with one-storeyed wooden huts and unpaved streets, through which Kirghiz ponies and camel caravans thread their way. Stone buildings are being constructed and the cathedral is built of stone; there is a mu nicipal electricity, water and bus service. Its industries include the making of agricultural and other machinery, distilling, brew ing, cloth manufacture and foodstuffs, especially sausage. It is a centre for the collection and export of meat, butter, hides and skins. The Russian Geographical society has a museum here and there is much educational and dramatic activity.

A fort was established here in 1716 to protect the Russian settlers from Kirghiz raids. Later, with the increasing coloniza tion of the area and the coming of the railway, the town devel oped rapidly and became a military centre, with large barracks. After the 1917 revolution, it was the nucleus of Siberian political activity and various governments rapidly succeeded one another; Admiral Kolchak declared himself Dictator of Siberia at Omsk. With the advance of the Bolshevik army, refugees from the west crowded into the town and the insanitary conditions resulted in a plague of spotted fever and typhus. On the capture of the

town the refugees fled further eastwards carrying infection with them, though many died of cold, hunger and disease.

ONA,

an Indian tribe who once occupied the interior of Tierra del Fuego except the south-western corner, which was uninhabited, and the south-eastern corner, where dwelt a related tribe known as the Haush. The Ona in speech, physique and culture were similar to the giant Tehuelche of Patagonia. They subsisted by hunting and were expert archers. Their chief food was the flesh of the guanaco, a wild camel related to the llama. In addition they ate birds, fish, shellfish, berries and fungi. Ona culture was very primi tive. Their dress was a large robe of guanaco fur, moccasins, a petticoat for the women and a fur diadem for the men. In spite of their cold environment they rarely used houses, and habitually slept behind a windbreak of hides. Their manufactures included bows and arrows, short fishing spears, slings, baskets, braided necklaces, wristlets and anklets and a few simple tools. Ona soci ety was organized into hunting groups of relatives. Each group controlled a well-defined territory which it vigorously defended from poachers. As a result blood feuds were common. At times each hunting group assembled to perform initiation ceremonies. Candidates were .taught tribal lore, were terrified by masked apparitions and were forced to live in solitude for two years that they might become strong and self-reliant. Ona religion consisted in a fear of certain malevolent spirits and belief in a supreme deity. Ona mythology is rich. The tribe has almost died out.

See S. K. Lothrop, "The Indians of Tierra del Fuego" (Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, Contributions, vol. x. 1928) J. M. Cooper, Analytical and Critical Bibliography—of Tierra del Fuego (Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 63, 1917).

(S. K. L.)