WINTER CEREMONIAL DANCES 181

statements. Non-members Tecognize that Deer, Varied
Thrush, and Wolf are really persons, but they have no idea
who or what they are, while their whole training, combined
with the atmosphere with which the whole ceremony is sur-
rounded, makes it easy for them to believe that they are seeing
supernaturally endowed animals. If an uninitiated person
should voice his doubts, he would be reported at once to the
marshals by a spy and forthwith made a kusiut.

The next to come forth is a figure wearing a mask repre.
senting a man, and carrying a long stick to the end of which
is tied a bundle of burning rags. The actor must be able to
run swiftly, and, as he dashes at full speed around the fire, the
strips of cloth are drawn out into a flaming stream behind him,
producing a spectacular effect in the semi-gloom. 4nolikwo-
isaix explains that this is Shooting Star, a supernatural being
who behaves peculiarly and who has, therefore, passed rapidly
and without the droning invitation that accompanies the pas-
sage of the other visitors. When Qoxotdn-i gave this dance, the
rags were dipped in coal-oil to make them burn brightly, and
one informant thought that this particular supernatural one
was, perhaps, not shown in the old days. It must be remem-
bered that details of the Ceremony are constantly changing
according to the skill and inventive ability of the carpenters.

To the accompaniment of Q....-. from the announcer
and the droning of the women, there next emerge four masked
figures representing the four Carpenters. In whatever cere-
monial they appear, their masks are the same because they, as
master-artisans, are supposed to have fashioned them for them-
selves. They dance around the fire without singing and dis-
appear behind the enclosure. Ano likwotsaix explains that
these are Mesmesdlémx, the Carpenters of Nusqulxwaista.

Now Ogotikts Afguntdam comes forth, He is the herald of
Atquntém who summons the supernatural ones to Nusqul-
*watsta for the winter ceremonial. He wears a man’s mask,
surmounted by a wooden bird which can be made to flap its
wings by means of a hidden cord, and he carries a staff on top