WINTER CEREMONIAL DANCES 177

who has had a call during the season. Nothing further need
be said concerning the ritual of gottim which follows the pattern
already described.

During the following day a screen of yellow cedar mats is
raised in one of the corners behind the fire; it must be large
enough to conceal those who are to wear the numerous masks
and give them space to fit them on in comfort. The Aukusiut
begin to gather late in the afternoon and the usual long dis-
cussion takes placeas the carpenters decide who shall wear which
mask, while the marshals move to and fro. There is no stage-
manager to settle disputes, but ultimately order evolves from
chaos, and when dusk has fallen the heralds are dispatched to
invite any kukusiut who have not appeared. When all is in
readiness, a shout is raised for the eager uninitiated, who come
crowding in to sit near the door. Anolikwotsaix moves to
and fro, in and out of the enclosure, talking all the time, and
telling the uninitiated that presently they will see very power-
ful supernatural beings. The following account is of the masked
figures used when Qoxofan-i last performed the dance; it must
again be emphasized that their actual choice depends on the
wishes of the dancer and his family, and that the order in which
they appear is immaterial. His performance was probably the
typical xebusam of a Mystery dancer.

The first to appear are Sxustaxwai and the three hiding-
places of X’s power. Since they are always uncommon, it fol-
lows that no fixed designs are possible, and the carpenters rely
upon their own inventive abilities to paint and carve human-
like beings.  4n0%ikwotsaix gives eloquent explanations
as the three stalk around the fre and disappear from sight. It
would have been equally proper if they had appeared singly.

Next comes Sénolfxumutelts Atquntéim, wearing a small
mask, barely covering his face; above it, in his hair, is dyed
cedar-bark puffed out to resemble a wig. He carries a stick
with a band of the same material around the middle, and a
tuft at either end concealing a nail with sharp, projecting
point. Around the fire he dances frantically, leaping into the