SONGS 317

(@) This is addressed to the uninitiated, one of whom has guessed correctly.

(e) The assumption is that this has been done with the aid of Anuguintniknum.

(f) Referring to the supernatural beings above.

(g) That is: To utter her supernatural droning cry.

(4) The reference is to Sno’olxilts Atguntim, the dancer’s patron. The meaning
of the whole passage is obscure but seems to be as follows: Svo’olxuts Aiquniim
was perturbed at the coming of the call to his protégé and, to help their fellow, the
other supernatural beings called upon Snitsman-a to drone. This sound has a
healing effect and would, therefore, enable human beings to solve the mystery.
The phraseology is intentionally obscure.

Song Used for Willie Fohnston(a), a Bella Coola Thunder Dancer(6)

didaxdakén-didai
it(c) coming down;

A Skéméinutwinmutsats
I have just heard

sixdy aotcam:étisandai
it changes its voice

aléotsaloti#ais
above our heads(d).
[WORDLEss cHORUS]

B Stixwotsamlimitsika |  dikusiutstenaosuais | yao skéoskiméanidisdai
They asked plainly the kusiut(e) to lead the frenzied beating
of sticks(f)
sawaquixwaitats

at the gathering of the supernatural beings in the land above.
[WoRDLEss cHORUS]

désnustkik’timisandai
when they increased

C Sadtkkimaxtamiisika
Too many to be seen

wakdtaixwotdttimats
are those called(g);

dinutsxmalsdimutidumdai
the water(A).

(a) The Bella Coola name of the dancer was unfortunately omitted.

(4) Recorded as song VII D 57, National Museum of Canada; quartet, Reuben
Schooner, leader, Jim Pollard, announcer and prompter, assisted by Ta/-io Charlie
and Steamboat Annie. This song was composed for, and used during the kusiut
season of 1923.4.

(c) Referring to the call.

(d) It is doubtful whether this statement is more than a rhetorical device to
impress the uninitiated.

(e) Referring to Thunder.

(f) Thunder, one of the most powerful of the supernatural kukusiut, has the
prerogative of leading the orchestra of stick beaters to “cure” a fellow-dancer.
The song states that his fellows requested him to perform this function.

(g) That is: So many are in attendance that they cannot be recognized. The
reference is to Thunder’s dance in the land above, for which the supernatural
kukusiut assemble from all directions.

(k) The allusion is to the rain which follows Thunder’s dance.