Samoiede (or Samoyed) Mythology

Samoiede (Or Samoyed) Mythology, The religious system of three Arctic tribes which persist in heathenism, despite repeated efforts to convert them to Christianity. Their supreme being, who is regarded as the creator and director of the universe, is called

Num. Innumerable subordinate spirits or gods, called Tatebi, are acknowledged, who combine both good and evil qualities in their natures. The priests govern the elements and control the health of human beings. They perform ceremonies in connection with births, marriages, and deaths. The Samoieds build temples, but do not set up representations of Num in them, as he is held to be invisible. The only images are those of subordinate deities.