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324 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

Song Used for Sinuximatt, a Female Bella Coola Kusiut Dancer(a)

A Ixilkexamnutitsduks | sa-wam-intaiyetsuats | yao skakitsamagotsa dikasiutainutits My path was both crooked and erratic when I searched for a supernatural being(4), when I finally succeeded(c). [WORDLESS CHORUS] B Anugqaoéxmago disiuxstxumnutitsdai at times it was hidden,

yao nuskdsiutsta

I was stationed firmly above the repository;

dikitimuntaidmtitsdai

there was no road(d). [WoRDLESS CHORUS]

C Skémétkumknumisindai | dinunuqwiutsnumidai | ye sqwigqotsainutisdax Pounded with his stick | Nunugwiutsnum(e); he succeeded in opening it(f), disidximlaixaoais

and light appeared.

(a) There are so many kusiut dances that it was manifestly impossible to obtain details of them all. This song, composed by Nebuchadnezzar, was used at the initiation of Sinuximai during the kusiut sesaon of 1923-4. The neophyte, a mere infant, did not dance and no information was obtained concerning the proper conduct of the rite. Her patron was the supernatural being, Nunugqwiutsnum.

(4) This being an initiation song, those who are not members of the society are regaled with an account of the alleged experiences of the neophyte.

(c) It was impossible to obtain individual translations for these four sub- divisions.

(d) These assertions are not to be taken literally; they are all for the benefit of the uninitiated.

(e) That is: Nunugqwiutsnum pounded with his stick. He is the dancer’s patron.

(f) Referring to the repository.

Song Used for Anudakénuts, a Bella Coola Kusiut(a) Dancer(6) A Yao wxstés-tcdlogotdji_ | sihilkin:itditsats | wa’ataimagqoats yao thino’likwotsaix

When I was an uninitiated person(c), I used to wonder what Ano’ likwotsaix was like, but I was entirely wrong(d). [worRDLEss CHORUS] B Anutkamix®<mago yao nuskésiutsta | sikpékdimuttaoats |- It(e) is hanging beneath the roof of | the repository; | everything is open to wanunukwiutsnamiats me, my limbs have opened it(f).

[WORDLESS CHORUS]