28: THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

“The Coming of 4nolikwotsaix.’’®

Fifth moon after the summer solstice: uswxsiit?, “The Time
for Kusiut Dances,”® or Siqgulxwaix di Siut, “The Gathering of
the Supernatural Beings.”

Sixth moon after the summer solstice: Sium#, “Sits Down,”
that is, when the sun reaches the solstice.

First moon after the winter solstice: Sxwolimynam, “What
Sweeps Away Food,” or Sx/iki, ““Angry Moon.” |

Second moon after the winter solstice: 4/oansdimut,
“Facing in Both Directions,” that is, half the month belongs
to winter and half to summer, or Lumolis di Nusaxkamx, “The
Potlatch of the Nuséxkamx” (I, p. 289).

Third moon after the winter solstice: Siagam, “When
Herrings Spawn.” These fish are said to have arrived on the
same day of this moon as the winter solstice in the December
one.

Fourth moon after the winter solstice: Sikulx, ‘“Time for
Making Salmon Weirs.”

Fifth moon after the winter solstice: Sinomwak, “Time
for Making Hand-Nets for Olachen.”

Sixth moon after the winter solstice: Siisam?, ““Time for
Eating Spring Salmon.” It is in this month that the summer
solstice occurs.

The chief difficulty experienced by the Bella Coola in
computing time rests on the fact that each month is judged
by the moon, whereas the main periods of the year depend ~
upon the solstices. One old man, from whom much of this ©
information was obtained, stated that trouble always came ©
at the winter solstice when the month was divided into two ©
sections. The above list is obviously incomplete and inco- —
herent, but it was the best available. |

SUPERNATURAL BEINGS
In any primitive community the social, religious, political, |
and economic aspects of life are so interwoven that they —

See vol. II, p. 8 for a description of this mythical being.
See vol. II, chap. 1, for a description of these dances.