ae

512 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

(a) This is a Rivers Inlet name, the dancer’s prerogative having come from that
area,

(4) This song was composed for, and used during the kusiut season of 1923-4.

(c) A reference to the house in the land above. The somewhat grandiloquent
phrasing is to impress the uninitiated.

(d) The dancer had prerogatives both as Scratcher and Cannibal, a rare com-
bination.

(e) The dancer must, presumably, have been in concealment for some reason.
The implication is that the fear and danger of his powers had been increased from
the fact that he was out of sight.

(f) That is: The crying is increasing. The reference is to the peculiar cry of all
Scratch dancers.

(g) That is: His cedar-bark ornaments return to him. These indicate that he
is about to dance.

(kA) Presumably referring to the dancer.

(i) The wording is as if the kukusiut themselves were startled at the excessive
vigour of the dancer.

(j) The significance is that those who have not received calls are terrified at what
has come to the dancer.

(k) That is: When there is too much talking above. The uninitiated are led to
believe that lengthy discussion in the land above presages some strange power
coming to the dancer.

Song Used for Suumkka*kis(a), a Bella Coola Fungus Dancer(6)

A Wasumnuimalusiktts | @linusxayanemttits sawashkotsitao warxquntimtais
I am terrified at what I hear(c), | moretalking | by Alquntim.
[worDLEss cHorus|
B Sipudjutnélostao sawakamésdimutals Gttésuxmulmuaixttum
They(d) have hidden they do not want to they are debating
themselves, die(e), furiously,

yao xdistaxyaosaixlao

their faces become strange(f).
[WoRDLESs CHORUS]

C Samixgwiaitimutidutaix yao disulkaoats

Some have parted in anger,

their thoughts being at variance;

alénodjonotsttimats

they agree with a
wise man(f).

dixulkankum-attstndai
they move round to be with those of the same opinion(g);

(a) This woman performed during the kusiut season of 1923-4, the first time a
Fungus dance had been displayed for many years. Four songs were composed
for her.

(4) Recorded as song VII D 23a, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim
Pollard.