Experts are not agreed as to which of these two tribes
originated the custom of sculpturing poles or which achieved
the highest skill. That of the Haida was bold and very dis-
tinctive; the crests were easily distinguishable at a con-
Siderable distance; while the Tsimsyan usually preferred more
numerous and smaller figures.

The Lillooet tribe of the Interior (which bears evidence of
certain influences derived from the Northwest Pacific Coast
tribes) also erected totem poles in front of their houses
after the manner of the Haida and Tsimsyan, but much shorter
and far less well carved and painted. The figures were
always human but the faces resembled the mask used by the
clan, in most cases that of an animal.

The origin of totemism is uncertain and beset with intricacies.
Belief in its significance apparently dates far back in human
history. Totems never had any connection with any form of
idolatry. They were neither gods or fetishes but were asso-
ciated with the conception of the kinship of all nature and
Substances animate and inanimate, particularly intimate be-
tween animals and humans; hence the adoption of personal
guardian spirits. The word "totem" is said to Signify the
guardian or protector of a person or of a clan, a society or
a tribe, and was apparently adopted into the English lan-
guage about 1791.

SEY AVE peas