ee re

254 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

sently he begins to grunt, and calls the name of either a man
or a woman. ‘The person so designated must take the per-
former’s hands, thus assimilating his power, and in his turn
begins to shake and grunt, amid the laughter of all. Presently
the “gift”? is returned, and later passed to another recipient.
Sometimes a modest woman shakes her head instead of her
hips, to the intense amusement of the audience. After some
time the owner draws his power to himself and the main cere-
mony of the evening proceeds. It is said that the supernatural
beings above perform sio°msta.

Tue Deaty oF A Kusiut

A detailed description of kusiut dances and ritual has now
been given, but certain special features still remain. One of
these is the method of disposal of the body of a dead member
of the society. In dances which are completed in four days,
there is little likelihood of the performer’s death, but this is
by no means uncommon during the long seclusion of a Can-
nibal for example. In this case there is no wailing, and the
death is concealed from the uninitiated, sometimes even a wife
being kept in ignorance of her husband’s decease. A mask
representing the patron of the dead man is hung in the house
behind the fire as a constant reminder of what must be done.
From the ceremonial point of view, the serious aspect lies in
the fact that a call has come which has not been sent back, and
which cannot be sent back by the receiver. The marshals
discuss the matter and agree that it must pass to some kustut,
a near relative of the deceased, who is informed of the decision
and does not dare refuse, even if he should wish to doso. After
a delay of two or three days, the body is taken secretly to the
grave and buried, while the kukusiut sing the dead person’s
song. This causes the call to shift to the chosen relative who
completes the ceremony in due course. In the case of a
Cannibal, for example, a considerable amount of time is al-
lowed to elapse, and meanwhile the uninitiated are told that
the kukusiut are still waiting and watching for his return.