WINTER CEREMONIAL DANCES 127

they do not like. No compensation can be claimed, on the
theory that supernatural beings do not have to pay for any
damage they may do. Although the property of some kuku-
stut is destroyed, the chief sufferers are the uninitiated; this
serves to increase their fear and respect for the society with
which such all-powerful beings are in league. After Visiting
every house in the village, the party returns to X’s, where the
masks are burnt, the call sent back, and the proceedings con-
clude in the usual manner.

A certain amount of information concerning the history of
the Breaker dance was obtained from Sxek, the owner of the
prerogative just described. He is a well-informed man, but
the writer had no opportunity of comparing his beliefs with
those of his associates, so the following must be regarded as
unsubstantiated evidence. This man stated that the Breaker
dance is the most important of all in Bella Bella, and that many
Bella Coola prerogatives have been obtained from this source,
although some of their first ancestors likewise enjoyed it. He
further stated that the term, noltctsta, by which the Bella Coola
always designate a Breaker, is of Bella Bella origin, and that
the ancient Bella Coola term was durtia.*! Sxek also told of an
occasion when a number of Bella Bella, present on the gottm
night of a Bella Coola ceremony, were disturbed when eating
by the thud of a stone thrown, from outside, against the wall
of the back-room. Out rushed a number of kukusiut, incensed
at the disrespect shown to their gathering. They caught the
offender, but released him when he was found to be a Bella
Bella Breaker, foolishly demonstrating his prowess. The
marshals decided to retaliate and arranged with two Bella
Coola Breakers to exercise their rights and destroy the canoes
and food-boxes of their guests. They did so, and later paid
for the damage. The Bella Coola were thus able to demon-

**Sxek and several of his children are the only Bella Coola known to the writer
who habitually use the sound “r.” For example, he says “Snutari,’”’ instead of
“Snutaii.” He says that he is himself unable to distinguish any peculiarity in his

own pronunciation, although other Bella Coola are aware of it.