ae peed 7 ee

262 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

long ago the kwsiut society was composed of individuals re-
garded as having supernatural endowments, and who perhaps
believed this themselves. In course of time their influence
increased to such an extent that they were able to convince
non-members of the supernatural origin of objects used in their
ceremonial.

Unfortunately, information from Kimsquit was obtained
almost exclusively from one old man, who, though a marshal
well informed in kusiut matters and in many ways an almost
:deal informant, had long since realized that the dances could
be nothing more than representations, and it is possible that
his remarks were coloured by this knowledge. Though he
tended to minimize the attitude of belief with which the un-
initiated regarded masked figures, yet he fully agreed with
every statement made by the Bella Coola themselves with
regard to the firm belief of non-members concerning the super-
natural powers of the dancers. He also confirmed statements
respecting punishment if an error should occur, and mentioned
the shooting of a Bella Bella dancer who had allowed his mask
to fall during a susaok dance. As far as actual ritual is con-
cerned, the differences in procedure between Bella Coola and
Kimsquit are unimportant, and differences in belief are less
than they appear at first sight. The Bella Coola kukusiut
seem to have perfected their organization and to have been
able to impress the uninitiated to a greater extent than their
Kimsquit fellows, but the fundamentals of the society are
identical.

Traditions concerning the early history of the society are
probably of little value historically, but they are important as
indicating the mental attitude of the Bella Coola. Considering
the importance of the society there are relatively few accounts
of what took place long ago; the Bella Coola know that it
exists, believe that the rites are identical with those carried
out by their ancestors for generations, and theorize no further.
It was only in the beginning of time that things were radically
different; it is believed that then all the people were endowed