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The Raven-drum is more of a ceremonial device and privilege than a 
crest. It consists of a large cedar-box drum on which is painted or carved 
the Raven ; it is used particularly when the dirge song of the family is sung 
over the body of a chief. Likewise the Frog-dish is a ceremonial dish, 
carved to represent the Frog, and used in festivals. 
The Double-headed monster or the Bottom-boards person is from the 
Haida canoe in which migrated remote ancestors from Queen Charlotte 
islands to the mainland. The Larah-wawsuh monster is well known all 
over the North West Coast; it is called Risiutl farther south, among the 
Kwakiutl and the Nootkas, and its mystic powers are supposed to cause 
death at sight. 
FUNCTION 
(1) The Raven-soaring (Qansil) pole, the tallest of the eight poles of 
this family, and one of the three most interesting, was erected, according 
to Laelt,’ about forty years ago; or, according to Kweenu herself,^ before 
she was born— from fifty to sixty years ago. It stands in commemoration 
of a former Kweenu, and was erected by his successor of the same name. 
(2) The Eagle-person (Gycedem-rhskycek ) was erected in memory of 
Ksemeseepu, a sub-chief under Kweenu, who more properly belongs to 
the household of Hodemerh, whose ancestors were Carriers of the Hagwelget 
tribe. It seems to be of approximately the same age as No. 1 — the Raven- 
soaring — which is fifty years old.® 
(3) The Cane ( Qaai ). This pole was erected in commemoration of 
Kawagyaenee, a member of the household.** It was erected, as usual, by 
the whole family and their relatives abroad. 
(4) The Starfish-person (Gycedem-ramats ). This pole may commem- 
orate more than one of the former leading members of this family. Kweenu 
(Mrs. John Larahnitz) gave the name of Legee-em (who later became 
Kweenu)® and Laelt (Salomon Harris), those of Gitzarhlaehl and Qseqhl, of 
this family.® 
(5) All-frogs (Trha-ranaa'o) was erected about forty-five or fifty 
years ago, in commemoration of a member of the household of Kweenu. 
(6) The Raven-drum ( Qaqaiom' anuhl ). This pole was described as 
“the grave” of Kwawqahl (otherwise known as Bob Qaqhl), whose former 
name was Adzeks, a chief in this family. It was erected about forty years 
ago, when Kweenu (Mrs. John Larahnitz) was less than 12 years old, that 
s, a few years before No. 4 — the Starfish-person. 
(7) The Frog-hanging (Spmrem-ranaa^o). This pole “is the grave” of 
Ho’demerh^ who was buried “right under it.” It was erected about 1916, 
and Kweenu was the cause of its erection. 
‘Salomon Harris, of Kitwanga, of the same clan; now an old man, 
*Mrs, John Larahnitz. 
*Mrs. John Larahnitz (Kweenu) said that. like No. I, it was erected before she was bom. 
^According to Laelt, it commemorates Adzeks, presumably another name of the same man. 
'She added “the father of ’Namihl.” 
•These names may all have belonged at various times to the same chief. 
’For that reason it was inappropriately called Eagle-person (Hrskya^m-get) by L»It, as Eagle-person, Ho’- 
demerh's principal crest, although it is not actually represented on this pole. 
