SONGS 289

Nusaxkémx Soncs

The texts of nusaxkadmx songs are fragmentary and unsatis-
factory. The rites in which they were used have long been
discontinued and, since they were never ceremonially impor-
tant, there was nothing to impress either tunes or words on the
minds of the singers. In addition, it is probable that the songs
were always less carefully constructed than those of other
types.

Song Used for Qolon(a), a Kimsquit Man(6)

Qixdnaowitaiya situmstinébtcistaiya stwinumtsindai
Be happy, | ye people, | It is about to come,
désquttuyumdai | dégolontaotcaiya

that hidden one(c), | Beaver.

[worDLess cHorvs]
Qolon?’i
Beaver(d)!

(2) This word means “Beaver.” It is most unlikely that it was the dancer’s own
designation, more probably a nickname used in connection with the nusdxkamx rite.

(4) Recorded as song VII D 9b, National Museum of Canada; singer, Louie Hall.

(c) This signifies a person who is hidden ceremonially, such as a kusiut dancer
who has gone to the land above. The dancer expected to be a Cannibal and the
rite in which this song was used served as a kind of rehearsal.

(2) This refrain replaces a second and third part of the song itself.

(e) A meaningless series of choral ejaculations.

Qolon?’i
Beaver!

wWaxat-yai

wa-xai-yai(e).

Song Used for a Kimsquit W oman(a)

Axsinuxdimguduks | Hopiwacsudax | tusxwismaoskidax Gttusmatskidax
They heard | of Fawn(é), | when they were playing | long ago(c).

(4) Recorded as song VII D 9d, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim
Pollard.

(4) The theme being of a fawn, the dancer wore a deer-skin.

(c) As in many nuséxkimx songs, the words refer to an ancient story, probably
one describing the adventures of deer and wolves; see vol. II, p. 425.

Song Used for Waosagslaix, a Kimsquit Man(a)

Lilitemuséninax waowmnsogsin-ai | waixtski Sqotinops
Run in all directions, | ye dogs, | for the first time | it is there
nunugaotsnum osutcaxaGnam maotc | maottc

he brings much food(4), | go below the house ?(c) ?(d).