WINTER CEREMONIAL DANCES 173

what are to be the correct answers? The marshals decide on
these, but their judgment really depends on the four remem-
brancers who are able to tell whether any of the replies they
suggest have already been given. When Saixnds performed,
the answers chosen were:

Aimaliua, “The Coming of Foul Weather.” This word is
said to be in the language of the supernatural ones. The im-
plication is that this phenomenon of nature is a manifestation
of the will of the supreme deity. ;

Nuspuxta Smaiaikila, “The Eagle Down Smaiaikila.” This
has the significance of “The Peace Giving Smaiaikila’”’ since
eagle down is a symbol of peace.

Kit?mntémem, “The Yawning Chasm.” This is the myster-
ious crevasse which opens before a foolish man when he tries
to gain success. In cases where a white man would attribute
misfortune to lack of ability or to sheer bad luck, the Bella
Coola say that this supernatural chasm has opened before him.
It is especially applied to failure in the giving of potlatches.

Scarcely less important than the choice of answers is the
second consideration, who is to give them. The uninitiated
have been taught that X cannot live unless his riddles are
answered, and also that whoever succeeds in solving them can
do so only through supernatural assistance. As in the case of
a person who finds a repository, so must the one who solves the
problem be made a kusiut. This is an opportunity for an
influential man with a son of suitable age and character to
have him initiated into the society, and an eager parent can
always be found. He is told the proper answers, and in-
structed to whisper them to his son the following evening. It
is impressed upon the father that this must be done only at
the last minute, and that every precaution must be taken to
prevent the young man from telling his friends that he has
been prompted.

Other matters are arranged at the same time. A shaman
must be in readiness to assist in binding the future member of
the society to secrecy, and every detail is worked out with care.