GAMES 381

in former times. Skisa might almost be called the Bella Coola
national game, although it is now (1923) seldom played.

A game with somewhat similar rules is sugwlaidk, played
with small wooden spears tipped with bone. When a number
of men or boys decide to play, they choose two captains who
in turn select their teams; any number can take part, provided
that the sides are equal, but five each is usual. There is a
special name for each player according to his position, and he
bets against the corresponding member of the other team. A
mark is set up, and one of the captains throws his spear, so that
it will stick upright in the ground as near the target as possible.
The rival leader endeavours to beat this, and if he fails, his
second man throws, and each in succession until one comes
closer to the goal than the rival captain. Then the latter’s
number two tries to beat the last thrower, followed by those
on his own side until one succeeds or till all have thrown. The
game thus ends when all of one side have thrown unsuccess-
fully. The winning side is, of course, the one to which belongs
the player whose throw is nearest the target. Each member
of the losing team pays his wager to his adversary and a second
round is begun.

The sport is now rarely indulged in, but in former times
games used to continue all day, and valuables were lost in the
gambling which was considered to be a necessary part of it.
Men used to observe ceremonial chastity to increase their
chances of success and the expert was regarded with admiration
by younger lads. The crack team of a village often used to
visit other towns to compete against their representatives, and
the games were contested amid frenzied excitement on the part
of the supporters. This occasionally led to serious fighting.

Another sport of a similar type is archery; a mark is set
up and each competitor tries to lodge his arrow as close to it
as possible. This game has now entirely lost favour, the young
men preferring a type of football played without strict atten-
tion to rules, but with great energy.

Bella Coola children, too, have their games and recreations,
many of them of animitativenature. Little boys enjoy nothing