336 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS Song Sung to a Bat(a)

When a bat is seen flitting around in the dusk, lads often greet it as follows:

Stindabitiam xololo Bat, xololo.

These two words are repeated an indefinite number of times.

(2) Recorded as song VII D 24b, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim Pollard.

MISCELLANEOUS SONGS

Gambling games have always been popular among the Bella Coola, especially the one known as /ehal which may be of European origin. Contestants sing as they play, but the songs, lacking words, consist merely of a series of meaningless ejaculations. The tunes, however, are remembered, and cer- tain ones are considered to be the proper accompaniment to certain games. When a number of men are singing in unison, they follow the directions of a leader, but at other times the “words” vary according to individual taste. The tunes alone are important, and it is often remembered from what area they first came.?

A few songs have been adopted from the Carriers and are sung from sheer delight in the rhythm, since the words are unintelligible. The most popular is the following:

5A number of such tunes were obtained:

A Kimsquit /ehal song, recorded as song VII D 30c, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim Pollard.

A gambling song said to have come from the West Coast of Vancouver Island, recorded as song VII D 19b, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim Pollard..

A Bella Coola gambling song, recorded as song VII D 16b, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim Pollard.

A Bella Coola gambling song, recorded as song VII D 20b, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim Pollard.

A Bella Coola gambling song, recorded as song VII D 23b, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim Pollard.