WINTER CEREMONIAL DANCES 257

cases though an infant in arms, though uninitiated, can
be brought to dances by its mother; distinctions between rich
and poor, slave and freeman, become of slight importance; all
that really matters is whether a person is or is not a kusiut.
Membership in the society seems to the uninitiated the most
desirable thing in life, although their fears are always so strong
that they never cease to dread actual admission. The feeling
of class consciousness which exists in a somewhat mild form at
other seasons of the year, gives place to a powerful sentiment
of superiority on the part of members of the society over those
who are not so fortunate. Even the respect normally shown
to chiefs is submerged since they, too, are subject to the rule
of the marshals.

Apart entirely from this attitude of superiority and inferi-
ority, is the bond of fellowship engendered among members
of the society by the rites. Whatever happens, the uninitiated
must be deceived. Moreover, the psychological effect of gath-
ering nightly in a body for a specific purpose is tremendous.
Night after night they eat together: night after night they
listen to the words of the marshals, who impress on them the
need for co-operation and secrecy, who hold before them the
good example set by their fellows who have carried out rites
successfully, who emphasize the fact that they are doing as
their fathers did. The ceremonial import is of greatest conse-
quence at all these gatherings, but when the uninitiated have
withdrawn the kukusiut relax somewhat and enjoy themselves.
The food itself is always of the best and some of the usual
restrictions are removed. It is, for example, the only time
that women are allowed to eat the flesh of seals. If this deli-
cacy is provided the marshals enjoy the tidbits, but after
Cannibals, novices, and others have received preferential
treatment, the remainder is distributed to all and sundry.

It has been stated by some writers, especially those un-
familiar with the significance of native ceremonial life, that
the dances of the coastal tribes are orgies of immorality. This
point was investigated with care and it may be stated posi-