65 
Ramlarhyselk owns three totem poles and Lurhawn has two which 
stand farther south in the row of the totem poles. Two older poles of 
Lurhawn were cut down at the time when the newer of the two poles still 
standing was erected.^ 
DESCRIPTION 
The older of the two poles, and the taller (Plate X, figure 4; Plate XI, 
figure 1) is called Real-kingfisher (Semgycek),^ Its figures are: the Real- 
kingfisher, perched on the top of the pole; a short, uncarved section, under 
the Real-kingfisher; three large human beings, one above the other, repre- 
senting the People-of-the-ladder — four of whom there were in all; the 
Frog-of-the-house-partition (Ptawrom-ranaa’o ); a fourth human figure, 
People-of-the-smoke-hole; and the Real-kingfisher (Semgycek). 
The newer pole stands next to the first and immediately south of it 
(Plate X, figure 5; Plate XI, figure 2). It is known under the name of 
People-of-the-ladder, or at times, Tail-hat (with cylinders) (Lanemrcei). 
Its figures are: Tall-hat (Lanemrcei), on the head of Person-of-the-ladder 
(this mythic character holds the hat on his head with his right hand) ; 
a short, uncarved section; a second Person-of-the-ladder, standing on the 
Frog’s neck, the Frog semi-erect and squatting — the legendary Ladder, 
which used to lead out of the house, had frogs for steps; a third Person-of- 
the-ladder, with another Frog under his feet (this second Frog is shown 
climbing up) ; a fourth Person-of-the-ladder to represent the four People- 
of-the-smoke-hole. 
ORIGIN 
The origin of these crests is the same as for Lurhawn ’s brother, 
Ramlarhyselk. It is accounted for in the same myths. According to 
Lurhawn’s own version, it was at the Place-of-wild-rice ( Larh-ranrasrh ) that 
Kupesesa’i once disappeared, long ago, and was later found in a huge 
bird’s nest, sitting on the back of the Real-kingfisher. From this place 
the ancestors divided into two bands, one of these moving down from 
the Black water country to the Nass and the other going first to the head- 
waters of the Skeena and then to Where-people-seek-refuge (Gitanyao ). 
It is claimed that the Tall-hat and the Frog-steps were first made® by 
Senraewen, of the family of Ramlarhyselk, while he lived long ago among 
the People-of-the-black-water (Gitksedzuts ), in the interior. For this 
reason this ceremonial headdress is still called Hat-of-upper-river (Raidem- 
geegeenih ). “It originally came from the Nass people.’’^ The Frog and 
the Tall-hat became the joint property of Ramlarhyselk and Lurhawn 
only after the two houses had more or less amalgamated on account of 
falling numbers, presumably after the coming of the white man on the 
west coast. 
The Real-kingfisher was first used as a ceremonial entrance and 
house-front painting, in the early days. There was a round opening for a 
•At another place it was stated that Lurhawn had several other poles, commemoration poles, of a similar nature. 
*ThiB is at times mistranslated into Woodpecker: hut we have come to the conclusion that it is meant for 
Kinghsher. 
*Georgo Derrick (Lurhawn) actually said “that he made (dzapk)” these crests. 
‘Lurhawn explained that Person-of-the-ladder, who wore the Tall-hat on his head, was supposed to look down 
into the house from the smoke hole, or, again, to look around in all directions. He held bis hat on his head with 
his hand to prevent the wind from blowing it o£f. 
