SE

280 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

(d) A somewhat boastful reference to the power of the dancer’s tutwinam.

(e) Another arrogant reference to the tutwinam.

(f) In Bella Bella.

(g) This is a Bella Bella being of whom little is known by the Bella Coola. The
right to use him as futwinam came from a remote ancestor.

(hk) Presumably, the dancer’s right to perform.

Fragment of a Song Used for Kaqaix, a Kimsquit Man(a)

A Alqusmaowita wastixwnimutap | Sétixsunsnimésu
Protect your faces, | you quiet people! | Is always shooting arrows

kwattintaiyadsiaix
my crest(@).
[WORDLESS CHORUS]

B and C have been forgotten.
[WORDLESS CHORUS|

Axtwainu kaspimaxwamdinitt
Don’t do that, they will cover us with valuables(c).

(a) Recorded as song VII D 29b, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim
Pollard. This song is said to be an extremely ancient one, used by some of the
earliest settlers; the tune is said to be entirely different from any recent stsaok
compositions.

(6) The dancer’s crest was the wasp, an insect which is believed to sting by the
discharge of invisible, minute arrows. This admonition to the guests to hide their
faces was, of course, a boasting reference to the goods which would be distributed
at the approaching potlatch. None of the first settlers was sent down to earth
as a wasp, but several, including Nodkila, were guided and assisted by those insects
to such an extent that they have been regarded as crests.

(c) It is customary, when quoting this song, to add this final remark. It is related
that, many years ago, a Kimsquit man used his wasp prerogative, but was shamed
at the potlatch by being inundated with goods from a rival. Since that time, none
of his descendants has dared to use the right and the admonition against doing so
has become almost proverbial.

Fragment of a Song Used for Nuqwikimlaix of Kimsquit(a)

A Qexsodjitkwao
We all go

skétpotmitdai | Digwpuxdusdai wadnupasats
to see(4). He(c) informs us | of what he carries.

BandC No more of this song is remembered, though it was used at a potlatch
about 1910.

(2) Recorded as song VII D 59b, National Museum of Canada; singer, Louie Hall.
(4) Meaning: To gaze upon something supernatural.
(c) An unnamed supernatural being.