HO MASKS AND LABKETS. 



The masks strictly belonging to the medicine man are generally heir- 

 looms, and mostly used in secret. The shaman is said to have one for 

 each familiar spirit, in some way symbolical of that spirit, and which is 

 put on when ir is to be summoned by means of the magician's rattle. 

 This instrument is worthy a more extended notice. They are generally 

 elaborate!} carved and painted, and in old as well as modern specimens 

 of remarkably uniform size. 



TIINKIT AND HAIDA MASKS. 



With regard to the present use of masks among the Haida, the 

 following information is extracted from Dr. Dawson's report on that 

 tribe : 



A cloak or blanket very much prized by tho Haida, and called nakhin, is obtained 

 in trade from the T'simpsian. It is shaped somewhat like a shawl, withablunt point 

 behind, and surrounded by a deep and thick fringe of twisted wool. The cloaks are 

 made iu many small separate pieces, which are afterward artfully sewn together. The 

 colors of wool used are white, yellow, black, and brown, and the pattern bears a rela- 

 tion to the totem, so that an Indian can tell to what totem the cloak belongs. They 

 are used specially iu dancing, and then in conjunction with a peculiar head-dress, 

 which cousists of a small woodeu mask (niaskette), ornamented with mother-of-pearl. 

 This stands up from the forehead, and is attached to a piece fitting over the head, 

 ornamented with feathers, &c, and behind supporting a strip of cloth about two feel 

 wide, which hangs down to the feet, and is covered with skins of the ermine. (Pp. 

 106B, 107B.1. c.) One of these is figured by Bastian, taf. 1, fig. 2, 2«. 



Six kinds of dancing ceremonies are distinguished among the Haida. One is called 

 Ska-dul ; the womeu occupy a prominent place iu this dance, beiug carefully dressed 

 with the little masks and cloaks above mentioned. It requires no particular number 

 of people, the more the better, and occurs only when a man desires shortly to build 

 a house. One man performs on a tambourine, beating time, to which they all sing. 

 The song is a sort of eulogy of the builder as well as the dancers, celebrating their 

 strength, riches, &c, and is in the T'simpsean language, which many of the Haida 

 speak fluently, and from which tribe many of their ceremonies appear to have been 

 derived in comparatively recent time. 



Another dance is called Skarut. One man (usually a hired dancer) perforins this 

 dance. It takes place some days before a distribution of property, on the occasion of 

 such an event as the tattooing of a child, or death of a relative or friend. The dance 

 is performed by a single man, naked, except for a breech-clout. In the first part id' 

 the dance, which appears to be intended to simulate a sort of possession or frenzy, 

 one of the grotesque woodeu masks is worn, and this is the only dance in which they 

 are used. The wearing of the mask, however, is not absolutely necessary, but a mat- 

 ter of choice with the performer. Getting heated in the dance he throws the mask 

 away, snatches up the first dog he can find, kills him, and tearing pieces of bistlesh, 

 eats them. This dance is not performed in the house as the others are, but at large 

 through the village. (Pp. 128B, 129B.) 



Masks are to be found in considerable number in all the villages, and though I could 

 hear that they were employed for a single dance only, it is probable that there may 

 be other occasions for their use. The masks may be divided into two classes: the first 

 those which represent human faces; the second those representing birds. [Figures 

 are given by the author on Plate VI, representing three masks and two maskettes, 



