54 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

This ejaculation is supposed to make the work of manu-
facture less dificult. The same procedure is repeated with
every mask ordered, except that if the being to be represented
is a woman, X’s ejaculation is 7----. Any kusiut can make
a mask, but the preference is always given to a man who has
shown ability in previous tasks. The carpenters endeavour
to follow well-recognized designs for many representations, but
a great deal of latitude is allowed, and a workman receives
greater praise and fame for turning out a fine and distinctive
piece of new design, than for rigid adherence to a former type.
This, combined with the burning of masks and consequent loss
of permanent patterns, is responsible for the variability in
Bella Coola forms, and the difficulty which they themselves
experience in recognizing portrayed beings.

As soon as all the carpentry has been allotted, the singers
strike up one of X’s eight songs. Whether or not he dances
to them is a matter about which there is a difference of opinion
among informants. In any case the re-singing on nustutalsap
is purely for rehearsal, made necessary by the large number of
songs. Later on in the kusiut season, the songs of other
dancers may be practised on this night, and if the owners wish
to practice their steps, it is quite proper for them to do so.
Finally, a meal is distributed, while the marshals discourse in
theusual way. Feasts are features of all kusiut dances, and the
food distributed is regarded as a free-will gift, without thought
of repayment. After eating, the kukusiut disperse; X must
sleep within his own house, but no longer remains within his
platform-enclosure.

The next day, the twenty-sixth of the ceremony, is gofim.
Early in the morning a herald summons to X’s house, where
the blocks have been left, all those to whom work has been
assigned. All morning they carve diligently. Thespeed with
which masks are completed is surprising, although this has
undoubtedly increased since the introduction of metal tools.
In the middle of the day a few kukusiut men, no women, are
invited to share ‘‘the carpenters’ meal,” as the food provided