62 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

since a certain Ausiut has the definite prerogative of throwing
them on thefire. As each is tossed into the flames he calls out:

“Please return directly to the supernatural ones.”

The only exception is for the mask of Ano°likwoisaix for
which his cry is:

“Please return directly to your repository.”

Before X can again take his normal place in the community
it is necessary to remove from him the call, which is conceived
as being something physical that has entered his body. This
is the belief taught to the uninitiated so emphatically that the
kukusiut themselves appear to believe it; at any rate, whatever
their inward thoughts, they act as if the call had substance.
As soon as the masks have been burnt one of the kukusiut sug-
gests that it is time to expel the call. All the kukusiut in the
house crowd around X, as many as can reach his body pressing
against his stomach with their hands, always in an upward
direction. Higher and higher they go, from stomach to chest,
from chest to neck, as if massaging some object. At last it is
thought to have been expelled, and X brings his hands to-
gether, as if holding something with great care. Suddenly he
throws them up in the air, opening them as he does so, and
calling out:

Anukéaldimut ola Gmadtaxxnu, “Go back to your ancient
home.”

Those ritual words have been handed down from ancient
times and are used by every kusiut to dismiss his call. Whither
it is sent is problematical. Some say to X’s repository, others
to Nusgulxwaista; the Bella Coola do not know. Often one
of his songs has been sung on the sidewalk outside X’s house;
the call may be returned from there.

This rite ends the ceremony and the kukusiut disperse. It
is obvious that evéry ebusam must vary according to the
patron of the dancer, but the above is typical of the ritual. A
call can now come to any kusiut, and one often descends at this
time, so that X’s nebusam is isuxtémem for another dancer.

For the rest of the ceremonial season X has to observe
certain rules. He must wear his collar of cedar-bark and