46 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

arms being brought into play, so that the whole hands are con-
stantly quivering without spasmodic movements. Ability to
do this is one of the marks of a skilful performer, and the inces-
sant shaking is continued without stop throughout the dance.
Most kusiut songs are in five parts, which may be described as
three verses, separated by two choruses. Near the beginning
of the first verse X stands up, raises his arms, shakes his fingers,
then slightly bends his legs and begins to step in time to the
beating of the sticks. Some dancers remain almost stationary,
marking time, to use the military term, others advance in
steps of an inch or so, at intervals slowly revolving sunwise.¥
Sometimes X introduces a variation by bending from side to
side, in which case one hand rises above the other. If the time
of the song is very slow, he sinks, bending his knees to a great
extent, and advances in more lengthy strides, never ceasing to
shake his hands. At each chorus the time becomes so rapid
that it is impossible to move the feet in accordance with it, and
then X crouches, his shaking hands the only movement. Ifit
is a woman who is dancing—like most kusiut prerogatives, this
one is not limited to men—the style of dancing is quite dif-
ferent. Keeping the upper part of each arm close to her body,
the dancer extends her fore-arms, outwards, parallel to the
ground, with the palms upwards. Like a man, she shakes her
wrists, but few female dancers move from the spot on which
they start, except perhaps to turn around, sunwise. Heralds
always keep up a running fire of comments, especially when a
woman is dancing, urging her not to be bashful, but to allow
her breasts to shake. Some dancers have merged into one
prerogative rights acquired from different coastal tribes. In
such cases they perform in two or more styles, each part
according to one prerogative.

Kukusiut are always ready to assist one of their fellows, so
that three or four friends are always willing to accompany the
dancer. They stand close behind him, at frequent intervals

18The Bella Coola state that the Bella Bella revolve counter-sunwise.