Os ProyvinciaL Musrum Report. 



2905. Gambling set of four long polished bone, marked with diagonal and circular lines. 
Set of twelve sticks for counting. Kootenay. 
2906. Salish. Spindle-whorl of big maple, carved to show two thunder-birds. 
2907. Salish. Tension-ring of wood, a carved bird with ring below, used to cause tension 
while spinning. Lower Fraser. 
2908. Salish. Two mat-creasers of maple, used when making rush mats. Lower Fraser. 
2909. Salish. Halibut-hook of hemlock wood, U-shaped, bone barb, spruce-root wrapping 
lanyard of twisted gut. Lower Fraser. 
2910. Salish. Stone chisel. Lower Fraser. 
2911. Salish. Spoon of mountain-goat horn, the carved handle riveted to bowl; raven below 
holding inverted man. 
Bella Coola Collection. 
From Chief Schooner were purchased the following ceremonial objects :— 
1. Nos. 2965 to 2973. Masks used at potlatches and dances and representing crests and 
legends of the chief’s clan. 
2965. Eagle mask (TsEIkt). 
2971. Loon Mask (Squsin). his crest was also observed in the graveyard. 
2972. Setting-sun mask (Nothokomai). This is now the property of Schooner’s son. It is 
shown at potlatches over a screen at the back of the dance-house, the wearer himself being out 
of sight. 
2978. Wagle mask. This is one of the chief’s principal family crests, and is shown at the 
same time as— 
2969. Raven mask (Qoaxmanikwulla). 
2966. Killer-whale mask (Suit). A large mask in three parts which represent the head 
(enq), the dorsal fins (qutleik), and the tail (sliamont). The story relating how this crest 
came into the chief’s family is, in part, as follows :— 
In far-distant days Schooner’s ancestors lived in a large chief’s house in the sky. The first 
of them of whom there is still any tradition was named Tamaltsen. This man when he danced 
used two masks, the eagle and the killer-whale. These were obtained by him at an old village 
named NuskElste, a place half-way up the River THintz, which runs past Bella Coola. Of this 
place it is said that at one time the sea rose so high that it filled up all the streams and 
reached the tops of the mountains to the west of Bella Coola, driving out all the natives from 
their houses until they could climb no higher. Just in time to save them from extermination 
a huge killer-whale swam close up to their last place of refuge on the mountain-tops and most 
of the people were able to climb inside and so were saved. The whale was as large as a big 
house and here all were cared for until the waters subsided. When land was seen once more 
the raven flew up and down croaking joyfully that so many people had escaped from drowning. 
2967, 2968. Small masks representing two of the people who were saved. 
2. Nos. 2974 to 2976. Masks used in the cannibal winter dance. These are all bird masks 
with long narrow beaks differing slightly in certain details, and all are called Hauhau, the 
Bella Coola form of the Kwakiutl Hohok. These are only parts of a complete set belonging to 
the winter dance, but supplement specimens purchased at Bella Coola some years ago. It was 
then found impossible to obtain from any one owner a perfect series such as belong to several 
Kwakiutl chiefs. Chief Schooner’s consent had to be obtained in every instance, and he also 
promptly annexed a large part of the purchase-money, without opposition from the seller. It 
was stated that outlying parts of the set used in the cannibal dance were held by different 
individuals belonging to the society and were liable to be called for. 
Schooner said that his family came into possession of the cannibal dance in early days. 
One of his ancestors was walking along the beach near Bella Coola when suddenly there 
appeared rising out of the sea a large chief's house. Some people came to the door and 
invited him to go inside. Here he saw, sitting at the far end of the house, a chief whose 
name was Qomoqoya, who was wearing a ceremonial hat of great size. The visitor at once 
produced a valuable * copper” and presented it to Qomoqoya. 
Two of the ancestor’s brothers had been made prisoners and taken to this house, but soon 
after were drowned. For this reason the use of the cannibal masks was explained to him and 
the right to use them was granted. 


