WINTER CEREMONIAL DANCES 43

theoretically, every kusiut should know the origin myth of his
prerogative, these are rarely remembered, a state of affairs
differing entirely from that with respect to ancestral origin
myths. An ancestor of Auskinwasam is supposed to have
seen Nodkxnim, decorated with the tails of two eagles stuck
in his hair. The following myth was obtained of the origin of
Xeminim’s prerogative:

In the beginning there came down to Mount Nus-/éxim, a small moun-
tain on the south side of the Bella Coola River about three-quarters of a
mile from the sea, 4Wifumndlosaix, his younger brother Omgomkilka, and
their sister. 4?guntim had given them a model house, so small that it
was portable, but which could enlarge to any size at their wish. It was
called Skgwa/ut?, a name they bestowed also on their sister. They brought
the sisaok designation, Xemxemlaix, with the right to perform a dance.
The party, including Raven, who was like a son to AllitimnGlosaix, came
down from their mountain top looking for a place to settle. As people
were already living at Qomgo-ts and Algéiliixi, they chose Siskiu# as their
home.

From this place the three could hear the beating of drums, as the
people of the adjacent villages performed their Ausiut dances and Raven
determined that his companions should not lack the privileges which
others enjoyed. Accordingly he flew down the fiord where he saw
Noékxnun, whom he obtained as patron for AWitumndlosaix. This pre-
rogative was embodied in the name Xeminum, which is still in use.17

The prerogative of seeing Nodkxnum is known as dakdak--
alaix, “The Comer,” or ““The Ever-Comer.” It will be con-
venient to refer to the person who has this power as X. As
already described, if he had been initiated during the preceding
ceremonial season, he is now obliged to dance. In later years,
if he wishes to do so, he first consults the marshals, and if they
consent he begins his preparations during the summer. Among
other matters, X informs the singers of his intentions and they
begin to compose songs. Occasionally they re-use one from a
previous year, but to do this is to admit lack of creative ability.
The usual practice is to compose new tunes and to adapt to
them words bearing on the proper theme, sometimes including

“It will be noted that this myth is of the typical origin type, and furnishes an
instance of the manner in which kusiut prerogatives occur in such.