RELIGION 105

place where he is not likely to be disturbed, and addresses the
supreme god in a loud tone of voice, requesting his assistance.

Although prayers can be said at any time of the day, or at
any season of the year, there are occasions when they are more
potent than at other times. At dawn, for example, a wise
young man is accustomed to go alone to the river to wash and
pray. He enters the icy water, blows mucus over his hands,
and rubs his body vigorously* either with a smooth pebble,
or, if it can be obtained, with a stone taken from the stomach
of a sea-lion.*2 As he scours himself, he asks Minakais to grant
him long life, power, success, and strength. On coming from the
water, he repeats his request, and then washes himself again.
This process is repeated four times, making eight prayers in all.
A young man who does this habitually, and in other ways
placates the supreme deity, is likely to have success, and may
even be given supernatural assistance by one of the many
anthropomorphic or zoomorphic creatures. The underlying
belief is that A¥guntém actually hears the words spoken and,
pleased thereby, aids the petitioner either directly, or by
strengthening the supernatural elements in his body.

Munakais has power over both rain and dry weather, and
is petitioned for whichever is desired. When the sun is ob-
scured by rain clouds, the Bella Coola pray:

“Please clean your face, Minakats,” or,

“Please show us your face, we need you.”

Before a man starts on a journey, either by canoe or on
foot, he always asks help for his undertaking.

“Vinakais,” he prays, “Be with me,” or “Go before me,”
or, “Give me what I want.”

Corresponding to the importance of the occasion, prayers
are always made before the departure of a hunting or war

“Urine was formerly used for washing both the body and clothing. It was
followed by the application of clean water, and undoubtedly had a religious signi-
ficance; indeed, washing purely for cleanliness was not habitual until recently.

®The Bella Coola state that stones are often found in the stomachs of sea-lions.
One specimen, considered of great value, was seen; it was indistinguishable from
a water-smoothed river pebble.