36 
DESO-RIPTION 
The older of the two poles (Plate V, figure 1), is named Whole-person 
or All-men (Marhgyet)^ or, according to another opinion, Qalmas (Empty- 
canoe, Canoe-shape, or Just-bark or Bark-sundried in canoe-shape) J Its 
figures are: the Eagle, under the special crest-name of Mawdzeks or Maw’;’* 
Empty-canoe or Bark-sundried ( Qalmas )\ inside the canoe, All-flattened- 
boards or Rafters (Trha-ralprhan), with human heads and faces carved at 
each end, their chin inwards; the Eagle, Maw\ and, at the bottom. Whole- 
person ( Marhgyet ). 
The second pole (Plate V, figure 2), is variously named W^hole-person 
(Marhgyet) or Maw’ (Eagle). Its figures are: the Eagle or Live-eagle 
(Maw’ or Mawdzeks, or Dedilsem-rhskycek ); Towards-looking or To-be- 
looked-at® (Kwun’alrasks ) or Rafters f Trha-ralprhan, All-flattened-boards) 
Whole-person or All-men (Marhkyet), the two human figures at the 
bottom.^ 
ORIGIN 
Whole-person ( Marhgyet ) is the same crest as that described for 
the family of Hlengwah (page 49) under the name of Marhkyawl.^ It 
belongs to the various branches of this clan on the Skeena;^ its origin must 
be fairly ancient. It is represented twice on Plate V, figure 2, and 
once on Plate V, figure 1, in both instances at the bases of the poles. Four 
Whole-beings used to appear on the corner-posts or uprights of the old 
house® of Wistis, at Gitsegyukla. The local traditions agree with those of 
Kitwanga as to its origin, and they also explain, as part of the same event 
of the past, the origin of Empty-canoe (Qalmas),^ of Rafters (Trha- 
ralphan ), and of Live-eagle ( Maiu’ or Dedtlsem-rhskycrk ). These crests 
were all conquered in warfare against a seacoast tribe to the south; some 
say, the Nawittee ( a northern Kwakiutl tribe); the others, the Kitamat, 
up Kitimat arm, at the end of the Laksclse trail from the Skeena to the 
seacoast. We may quote here, to this effect, an extract from a long nar- 
rative bearing on the past history of Wistis;^® Naeqt, the famous ancestor 
and warrior, travelled to the seacoast \vith his nephews and a party of 
raiders. They attacked the Kitamat without warning, defeated them, 
killed many people, and kept a young woman as a prisoner. 
“The chief's house was a very unusual one, quite large, with beautiful carvings inside. 
The beams in the house were carved like canoes. Naeqt inquired from the young woman, 
his prisoner, ‘How does your uncle call this carving.’ She answered, ‘He calls this Just- 
>A<icording to a third informant, Wawralaw (Alec Brown), its name is Urhtsan, the meaning of which is obscure 
and was interpreted as “Pole used for a purpose." 
^Several informants would not acknowledge it as being the Eagle; they could not give the English name of the 
bird. The name of the Owl was once or twice tentatively mentioned; and our own suggestion that it was the Hawk 
was rejected. 
*The following interpretations were given; “advised to look at something worth while,” “allowed to look at,” 
“for people to look at” or "to show". 
♦There arc .si* llufters, with a human face nt the upper end of each, represented here; but there were many more 
of them carved on the beams of the hou.se. 
♦Alec Brow’n (Wawralaw) added that the Whole-person wa,s also used as masks (or narknawks) in the feasts. 
*Marhkyawl among the Kitwanga people, and Trhikkau’lk, among the Tsimsyan. 
n'o Hlengwah, of Kitwanga; Qawm, of Kit.^ala.s, and Nees-yaranffit, of Gitsecs— the last two, among the 
Tsimsyan. 
•No longer in existence. 
•Two human faces were c.arved under the beams in the house. 
••Dictated by Kamayaem (Charles Mark), of Gitsegj'ukla, and interpretated by Mrs. Constance Coi, 
