WINTER CEREMONIAL DANCES 7

Furthermore, throughout the ceremonial season, the un-
initiated have ocular demonstrations of the powers with which
the kukusiut are associated. At frequent intervals they are
invited to the house of the dancer where, with wonder, fear,
and awe, they see strange creatures. Although they may re-
cognize that some of these are only their fellow-tribesmen in
_ Strange form, they have no idea how such transformations are
produced, and ascribe them to supernatural assistance. They
accept the strange designs of the figures as proof that the
kukusiut have been in contact with unfamiliar beings. It seems
clear that the uninitiated do not realize that the representations
are produced by means of masks, the work of human hands;
instead, they believe that the figures displayed are really those
of supernatural patrons who have come to earth to assist their
protégés. It must beremembered that these dances take place
_ within large houses, only partially illuminated by a flickering
central fire, which facilitates deception and conjuring tricks,
quite apart from the credulity of the observers.

The uninitiated may sometimes suspect that the performers
are not real supernatural beings, but there is no question of
their firm conviction concerning the changes which come over
the kukusiut at this time. One member of the society, for
example, may begin to act in a peculiar manner and at once
the uninitiated are ejected from the house. From without they
listen with mixed fear and excitement to the strange noises
which they do not know are made by whistles, and presently
the kusiut rushes forth in a frenzied state, biting those he
meets. The uninitiated know that he is a Cannibal, doing as
his patron above is doing, and that a call from the latter has
caused him to become mad. When the kukusiut have subdued
him and taken him back to his house, the non-membersh ear
more strange and inexplicable sounds, which appear to go
upwards, and presently the news is circulated that the Cannibal
has been carried away to the land above. He is seen no more
for several weeks, and when next he appears he is thin, wan,
and bald, because the high winds of the land above have blown