WINTER CEREMONIAL DANCES 53

any uninitiated from their path. The kukusiut also call hop
repeatedly, a further deterrent to the inquisitive. Alder and
birch trees are selected and the hewers start to work. When-
ever a tree falls, one of the party calls out:

Xwu:---.

This meaningless ejaculation, spoken as if by X, has the
virtue of causing the tree to fall gently. The logs are cut into
sections and as many provided as will be needed, since it is
contrary to kustut custom for more than one trip to be made
for wood. Towards dusk the cutters return, each carrying a
burden by means of a tump-line across the forehead. The
wood is laid softly on the floor, for it would be a gross insult
to throw it down roughly. Meanwhile heralds are summoning
the kukusiut with a call of:

Nusiutalsap kukusiaot.

X has long since consulted his relatives on the one hand
and the marshals on the other, concerning the number of masks
to be used, and the beings to be portrayed. A mask of
Anolikwoisaix is prepared for every kusiut dance, but with this
exception there is no uniformity in the representations. A
man always shows his patron, as well as any beings intimately
connected with him. Thus X must havea mask of Nodkxnum,
many of his passengers, and the supernatural beings who meet
him at the mouth of the river. A present must be given to
the carver of every mask, hence their actual number depends
upon the expenditure X and his relatives are willing to make.

At dusk the kukusiut are summoned by the heralds. X is
with the marshals behind the fire and he heeds their advice as
to the best carpenter for any special mask. When all have
assembled X holds up one of the blocks of wood, calls on one
of the kukusiut by name and Says:

“For Nodkxnum,” or whatever may be the figure required.

As the carpenter comes forward to take the billet the
heralds call out:

“Pay attention to him,” and as the carpenter takes the
wood, X calls out at the top of his voice, xwu--.