ox THE NORTH-AVESTERX TRIKES OF CANADA. 457 



The mode of life, fishing, use of canoe and implements do not differ 

 materially from those of the Lku'iigEn. 



CuSTOiMS REFEERING TO MaKKIAGE AND DeATH. 



The marriage customs are almost the same as those of the Lku'iigEn. 

 When a young man desires to marry a certain girl he informs his parents. 

 After having gained their consent he goes to the house of the girl's father 

 and sits down outside close to the door. At night he returns home. For 

 three days he continues to sit there silently. Then the girl's father, 

 knowing his intentions, invites many people and has mats and blankets 

 spread near the fire. He sends two old men to invite the young man, 

 who enters the house following this invitation. He is seated on a mat 

 and a pile of blankets is placed near him. His father, who kept a watch- 

 man near the house, is informed at once, when the young man is invited 

 to enter the house. He sends four blankets to the two old men who 

 invited his son. The girl's mother meanwhile prepares a large dish 

 filled with choice food, which her husband presents to the young man. 

 The latter eats a little and returns home. Then his father sends presents 

 of blankets and other valuables to the girl's father. This is continued 

 for three or four days, when the girl's father is asked if he is willing to 

 give the girl in marriage to the youth. The consent being given, the 

 groom's father asks all his relatives and followers to assemble on the 

 following morning in order to fetch the bride. They load their canoes 

 with food and blankets and start for the bride's house. Meanwhile her 

 house is cleaned, and after some time the canoes land, the blankets are 

 carried up to the house, and after the purchase of the girl has been 

 settled, the dishes filled with food are carried to the house. The fathers 

 exchange promises of kindly treatment of the couple, in the course of which 

 the groom's father states that he paid a high price for the girl, because 

 he wants to prevent a separation of the couple. Then the visitors return 

 to their canoes. After some time four old men lead the bride to the canoe, 

 holding her by her blanket. Among the tribes entitled to the privilege of 

 using the Sqoa'eqoe, one of these men wears the Sqoa'eqoe mask. He 

 follows the girl. Another one carries a rattle. They walk over mats or 

 blankets spread from the door to the landing-place. After they have 

 delivered the bride to the groom, they are paid two blankets each by the 

 groom's father. The latter distributes blankets repeatedly among the 

 bride's relatives, first in her house, later on before leaving, from the 

 canoe, an old man of his family delivering an oration meanwhile. Then 

 blankets are given to the chief of the bride's family, who distributes them. 

 Before the visitors leave, the bride's father presents blankets to the groom's 

 father, who distributes them among his people. When the pai'ty arrive 

 at the groom's house, his parents, uncles, and aunts receive the young 

 wife with presents. After the marriage the two families feast each other 

 frequently. 



Sometimes chiefs betroth their children in early youth. They bind 

 themselves by exchanging presents. In this case the ceremonies are 

 somewhat simpler. The parents guard their children with particular 

 care. When they are old enough to be married the youth assembles 

 many of his friends and sends word to his bride's parents, stating when 

 he intends to come. At the appointed time he lands and brings many 

 presents, food and blankets, to his bride's father, which the latter distri- 



