boas] TSIMSHIAN SOCIETY 543 



Religion 



In the religious beliefs of the Tsimshian, Heaven plays an important 

 r6le. He watches the acts of mankind, and sends down helpers 

 called nExno'x. Practically any natural object may be a riExno'x, 

 but in tales the most important ones are shining youths, strokes of 

 lightning, and animals. The term nExno'x designates anything 

 mysterious. It is the supernatural helper as well as the whistle used 

 in dances. It is the being prayed to for help, as well as the sleight- 

 of-hand trick of the dancer. 



Heaven rules the destinies of mankind; has taught man to distin- 

 guish between good and bad, and given religious laws and institutions. 

 Heaven is gratified by the mere existence of man. He is worshiped 

 by offerings and prayer, the smoke rising from fires being especially 

 agreeable to him. Murderers, adulterers, and those who behave 

 foolishly, talking to no purpose, and making noise at night, are espe- 

 cially hateful to him. He loves those who take pity upon the poor, 

 who do not try to become rich by selling at high prices what others 

 want. His messengers, particularly Sun and Moon, must be treated 

 with respect. Man makes himself agreeable to the deity by cleanli- 

 ness. Therefore the people must bathe and wash their whole bodies 

 before praying. For the same reason they take a vomitive when 

 they wish to please the deity well. The juice of the devil's-club 

 (Fatsia horrida) is particularly effective. They fast, and abstain 

 from touching then wives, if they desire then prayers to be successful. 

 They offer everything that is considered valuable — eagle down, red 

 paint, red-cedar bark, food, elk skin, lines, etc. The offering is burnt. 



The Tsimshian do not always pray to Heaven directly, but far 

 more frequently to the helpers. Thus they pray in a general way 

 to the nExno'x — 



Nsxno'x, riExno'x, SEm'a'gid, SEm'a'gid, gam-ga'dEn! A'yEn fin 

 xs-paya'nElcsEnlE'rEnt. Nexuo'x, gam-gd'den! ("NExnd'x, iiExnd'x! 

 Chief, chief! have pity upon us! else there will be nobody to smoke 

 under you! NExno'x, have pity upon us!") 



Or, praying for fair weather, they say — 



Nexuo'x, nExno'x, SEm'd'g'id, SEm'd'g'id, gam-ga'dEn! tgi-ne'° wal 

 lE'rEntns-SE-g'a'dEnt. Man-sa'Tca si'°nt, ada rtiE-tlo ts.'ant! ("Nex- 

 116 'x, nExno'x ! Chief, chief! have pity upon us! Look down and see 

 what those under you whom you made are doing! Pull up thy foot 

 and sweep off thy face!" ') 



The following is a prayer for calm weather: 



Lu-SE-g'a na-ksE-na'lgEnt, SEm'd'g'id, dEtn wul g'a'TcsEt ("Hold in 

 thy breath, chief, that it be calm!") 



