^10 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888, 



have their own uames, but the traders and others often call a village 

 after the name of the chief; for instance, Kasa-an is popularly called 

 SkowPs village; the village of Skidegate, Queen Charlotte Islands, 

 British Columbia, is popularly so called from the name of the heredi- 

 tary chief; the Haida name is Hyo-haiM, but the Tsimshian call it 

 Kil-hai 00.* 



Groups of villages. — Each village practically constitutes a tribe. 

 There never have been any permanent leagues or associations of vil- 

 lages to constitute a nation with head ruler, although, for certain rea- 

 sons of defense or offense, villages have so cooperated temporarily for 

 mutual benefit or protection. The totemic systems of the Tlingit, Haida, 

 and Tsmishian kings, in some senses uniform, have often operated to 

 make the alliance between phratries and totems of different villages in 

 some measure stronger than the clannish feeling due to close ethnical 

 affinity. 



Residence. — During the summer but few Indians are found at the 

 permanent villages. Occasionally a canoe load returns to deposit a 

 cargo, or to get something needed in the distant summer camp. 

 Where the fishing and hunting ground is near the village, it is contin- 

 ually occupied, but if at a distance there are times when the village is 

 entirely abandoned, although there may be some camps quite near. 

 Under such circumstances property is entirely safe. Early in the sum- 

 mer, during the first run of salmon, and when birds' eggs are to be 

 gathered, the Indians are widely scattered. Later on they congregate, 

 but disperse again for the run of King salmon, which lasts well into 

 December. By Christmas time they have all gathered in, and in the 

 long winter nights take place all those social and ceremonial gatherings 

 and feastings of which only a winter's residence amongst them can give 

 an adequate idea. Gathered around the blazing fire then are related 

 those legends and traditions which illustrate their beliefs. Then also 

 take place those dances, ceremonials, and theatrical performances which 

 graphically illustrate and perpetuate these traditions, and glorify the 

 prowess and might of the chiefs and their ancestors. 



" Dawsou, Report, B, p. 165. 



