rr

314 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

() A reference to the leading supernatural beings.
(j) That is: Unable to participate in the meeting at which it was decided to send
the dance down to Smumkka*kis.

Third Song Used for § numkkatkis, a Bella Coola Fungus Dancer(a)

sinubsultemats
to send it(d) down

A Sétlimkdjuttdumitsika
All(é) have failed,

djisxixsustamaxwlaoais
they(c) have decided

sawasitumstandlosats

to mortals(e).
[WORDLESS CHORUS]

B Wasnuisthitum-aistksdai

datat-Uxwimdai yao didlqumlaixtsindai
No one soils

what we see(f);

it warms us(g),

atasinxélotta
hail, Sunxalotta(h)!

[WORDLESS CHORUS]
diketkpsdjudimémkatisdai
as they(j) were preparing
matters(&),

C Snngotsamnutitsdai | yao dinaixliwattumdai
I heard the growling of a snumugq(#)

snusaiks-élxinaosuais
the skeleton(/) was as a bed to it(m).

(a) Recorded as song VII D 24a, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim
Pollard. This song, composed by Kimsquit Alec, was used during the kusiut season
of 1923-4.

(4) Referring to the supernatural beings.

(c) Referring to the supernatural beings.

(d) Referring to the Fungus dance.

(e) The significance is that the supernatural beings, having failed to raise the
Fungus, have sent it down for human beings to try. The words used imply that
it has been sent as a patient toa doctor. This boastful phrasing is to impress the
uninitiated.

(f) That is: What we see, the Fungus, is bright, shining, and unsullied.

(g) The meaning is obscure, perhaps that the sight of the supernatural object
strengthens the beholders.

(4) No reason could be learnt for this reference to Sinxdlotia.

() The composer assumed that the dancer’s patron was a smunig. It was im-
possible to obtain an individual translation of these two subdivisions.

(j) Referring to the supernatural beings.

(k) That is: As they were discussing the sending down of the Fungus.

(J) This refers to a skeleton, belonging to 4/guntim, which remains in the rear
part of Nusmdt-a2. It is frequently mentioned in song but no detailed information
about it could be obtained.

(m) That is: The Fungus was resting upon the skeleton. Such references, not
fully understood even by the kukustut, increase the awe and wonder of the un-
initiated.