The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-17
In these localities has been subjected to 9
thorough investigation.
Mythology of the Bella COola.

In these localities has been subjected to a
thorough investigation.
Mythology Of the Bella COola.
DIR. Boaz' Investigations on the Bella
Coda gave some results of considerable
hiteres. Previous inquiries ha5 s~c8n
that the Bella Coda possess d higher de-
yeioped mythology. Further studies have
shown that they are the only tribe on tho
North Pacific coast that have systematized
their mythology. while among thsm we
find most of the elements OF the mythoIo-
ges Of the neighboring tribes. This ma
ter.al has been so elaborated that instead
or multitude Of spirits we find num-
Der OF deities. each with its proper fame
tons. The Bella Coda believe that there
which rules tbs supreme goddess
Qarnalts- The lower heaven IL the home
OF a number OF deities. the most powerful
Of whom is the sum- called By the Bella
Coda Our Father and The Sacred One
The deities reside IN house located in
the zenith. II IS called House of Myths
The thoughts OF these deities are put into
action By fgur brothers, who live in a sep
arate room In the rear OF the house
Here also reside ten brothers. 70 whoss
care the winter. ceremonial Is intrusteG.
The SUI walks frcm east to west every
day. In the east n heaven sits the Bear
OF Heaven watching the Place OF Dawn,
the sun from passing into the lower
world. Twenty-four watehmen are ap-
pointed 10 look after the sky and 10 keep
IL in good order. Three others fly around
the sun. watching his course. At winter
solstjee and summer solst.ce are sta
TONED two watehmen. whose duty IL Is 70
prevent his tarrying at those places. Ger
oxn wor'd-tae earth--ss an isiaad in the
ocean. In the far east q god Ia sitting
who holds 8 strong tar In both hands
Stone ropes are tied 10 this bar, by means
or which tie earth is held Ira place. In
the Tar west IL the salmon land. The
world underneath ours Is that OF the
ghosts. Everything there is the reverse
o. what II is here. The ghosts wax on
their heads. When 4 is winter here I, IS
summer there. When II is daylight here
II Is night time there. The deceased may
return 10 life by being born again When
ghost dies his soul goes TO the lowest
world, from which there is no return.
The year Is divided into TWO periods In
summer the canoe OF the salmon stays
In cur word. In October IL returns 70
the salmon country. and al the same me-
fnsBt the canoe OF the winter eeremo0isi'
arrives. AS soon az this canoe reaches the
banks or the river tbs whole tribe en-
bark and ara conveyed 10 The House Of
Myths N heaven. Al the same tiTue tae
fsus8.s spirit OF the winter ceremonial q
which there Is one for each village. leaves
her abode n the mountains and shows
herself ~ the time Of the Writer sosstlcs
the canoe of sne winter cererEoHsaF re-
tarns. ard tie canoe of tas salmon ar
r5ves from fhe salmon country These
neurological i6saS are the foundation *
the calendar a the people. whsch hiss
twelve months. two Indefinite p@rios3s
around the aolxfIees and IRE months BE-
tween The so.s;Eces.
Marriage, ART and Language.
The tradff1ans ef tire Bella ceoHa are,
10 s-eaS extent satSHssc- Only assEt -
az the rian have she. right 30 relate their
;ra1..so1S AID 70 use re carvings based