O S Provincial Museum Report. 1918 



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. 



290S. 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 Cvola 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 (TsElkt). 



2971. Loon Mask (Squsin). This crest was also observed in the graveyard. 



2972. Setting-sun mask (Nolhokomai). 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. 



2973. Eagle 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 TEintz, 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 liad escaped from drowning. 



2967. 296S. 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 liouse, 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 thein was granted. 



