105 
Weegyet’s family, though closely connected with that of Harhpeg- 
wawtu of Gitsegyukla, has since its local inception maintained an indepen- 
dent existence and been outwardly characterized by crests that are on the 
whole different. 
He owns three totem poles, the older of which fell in 1922, and a 
carved figure formerly on a platform. 
DESCRIPTION 
The Snag-of-the-sand-bar ( Ranemtsem’aks ) is the name of the fallen 
pole; or, as it was also called, the Weneel (Plate XX, figure 1). Its figures 
are; the Thunder-bird, Teyce'itu, four times repeated from the top down 
to the large figure at the bottom (the figure at the top was partly destroyed 
when it fell, and the long beaks of the others were lost; they compared in 
length and style with the beak on the other pole of Weegyet); Many 
skulls (Guhe-wilwilgyet, or simply, Wilwilgyet)^ more than twelve of them, 
some of them represented without bodies — the row at the top — and others 
with faces and bodies in intentionally diversified expression and postures; 
the Weneel at the bottom. 
The second pole (Plate XXI, figure 1) is named Ladder-in-steps 
( Lademrh-semyip ) : It comprises the following crests: Wood-of-hemlock 
( Ranarh-geeuk ) , or the rafters of the house, it symbolizes the mountain 
of Wusen-skeehl, a crest; Split-person (Stagyet ); Weneel, a long-nosed bird;^ 
Hrkeegyent, or (three) human beings with groundhogs under their arms, 
symbolizing a hunting ground known under the name of Anarh-gigaenih; 
and the Ladder, at the bottom.^ 
An entrance-post, about 8 feet high, used to stand in front of Weeg- 
yet's fish-cabin, at Git'anyus, near the edge of the cliff above the present 
railroad bridge, on the north side of the river. It (Plate XXI, figure 2) 
was recently discovered and photographed by Mr. H. I. Smith. It is 
presumably the oldest pole of Gitsegyukla. 
A detached carving represents the Grizzly-bear-of-the-water, formerly 
with two fins on his back, and a number of human-like faces all over his 
body. 
ORIGINS 
Nine crests in all appear on Weegyet’s totem poles and carvings. 
The explanation of their distinct origins is particularly interesting, since 
one of them was retained by Mas-ranaa’o after his schism from his family, 
of the Eagle phratry, passed on to his posterity at Gitsegyukla, and thus 
was transferred from the Eagles to the Fireweeds^ — possibly the only 
occurrence of its kind among the Tsimsyan. 
The Split-person f Stagyet ) is still to the present day a crest of the 
Eagle families under the leadership of Qawq at Kitwanga, and it appears 
on their totem poles {See page 135). 
•This, according to Mark Weegyet'a own statement. Two other local informants described it as the Thunder- 
bird, Tevm'iluk, which it otherwise resembles. 
•Alec BrowTj (WawTalaw) here added that “the best or most valued crest is always placed at the bottom,” 
•Three Eagle crests were thus retained by Mas-ranaa’o: the Ranerhskysek, the Beaver, and the Split-person, 
only the latter of which is reproduced here on a pole. 
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