Feasting Bear, continued
The third box likewise contained five beautiful model totem figures about the size of a man's forearm telling the ancient stories of their people. Chief Katee-qwa was pleased, but he and his spokesman Lak'-a-tatt maintained their formal facial expressions as ceremonial hosts. Their wives, however, squealed with delight and whispered with excitement upon receiving the gifts, as did Uma-kwee's brothers and the other children.
The gifts were meant to demonstrate good faith and show that the family was serious about a possible marriage between their eligible brave and the famed Butterfly Woman. These would be difficult to return if the suitor was rejected. Later would come the bride price, which could be a whale, four sea lions or the equivalent of a summer's entire berry harvest.
Hayoqwis sat on the dance platform next to his brother and the other honored guests watching the family receive the gifts. His face was lit by the home fire and several bright torches and everyone could see that he also tried to look formal, even though the lights sparkled in his black eyes and revealed that he was either nervous or filled with heightened anticipation.
His long black hair hung to his shoulders and shined in the firelight along with the abalone shell eyes of the owl figure on his head crest. His beard was carefully plucked and his smooth face and bare chest was nicely painted as a prize-winning hunter. Young women giggled and old women noticed that he was both muscular and handsome -- more so than his younger brother Tokwish who was noticeably thinner and had a disfiguring scar across his face.
The lavish contents of the opened boxes also revealed that Hayoqwis was rich, perhaps too rich for Uma-kwee's family. It would be hard for them to reciprocate such fine goods and art works if one of their sons on a future summer's day sought a bride from the Kaw-Seth owl clan.
But, then that was the point of the testing rituals -- a less wealthy brave could still win a prized bride, proving himself worthy by fulfilling the challenge of the bride's chief. Hayoqwis had to remind himself that marriage matches did not depend on wealth alone. The tribes of the coast valued the gallantry of the suitor as an enduring form of wealth -- better than carved wood or woven bark -- even though while watching the delighted surprises of the family it occurred to him that Uma-kwee's parents might reject him knowing that they could not match the quality of his clan's gifts when the younger brothers came of age.
Success or failure was in the hand of Wonderful Doer now. All he could do was prepare himself for his performance of the Kaw-Seth dances. Besides -- if he was rejected this summer, he knew of girls form four other tribes willing to marry him. He never had a problem gaining the interest of the girls or favor of their parents. But, marriage to the Butterfly Woman in accordance to his uncle's dream would give him green heron titles and expanded fishing rights far south of Island Home. Best of all taking famed Uma'kwee as wife would restore glory to Owl House long over-shadowed by his family's rivals.
After a few days of feasting and dance performances the chief planned to reveal the nature of the challenge for Hayoqwis to complete if he hoped to be admitted to the tribe. These tests could last for the rest of the summer and sometimes continued into the winter before success was confirmed. This meant that the suitor would live with the host villagers for as long as half a year, proving that he was worthy to share the Duwam'ha way. He knew that a displeased chief or family member could simply add more and more tests until a disfavored suitor gives up.
Hayoqwis was confident in his ability to pass the test and win the favor of the family and tribe. He succeeded in all that he set his face to accomplish. He knew that he was a good hunter and stronger than most other men. He also had the spiritual power in his chest after spending many hours fasting before Wonderful Doer at the mouth of the sacred cave on Island Home. He had been trained in the way of the Sky World and consistently rejected the hidden entreaties of the demon Setko Raven Ghost who causes misery in the end for whoever sings his songs.
When he was a boy, his uncle and mentor Skygazer Spe-eth took him and his cousin Tiska on quests to the wilderness to teach them how to interpret the language of the animals and birds. Soon he learned how to drink from the same stream with the elk and how to walk silently in the forest to become invisible to the untrained. Soon he was able to come close to all kinds of wild creatures without frightening them away. Mastering the Kaw-Seth way made him confident in all that he did -- sure that his steps were lit by light of the true dawn that is appearing.
His father Clo-oose Maker of Many Boxes was pleased when he learned the family dances and performed them without error, unlike his brother who refused to endure the discipline of spending days memorizing the ancient songs. Hayoqwis suspected that Tokwish didn't believe in any power greater than himself, neither the Creator-of-Light or Raven Ghost. Tokwish devoted himself to learning the art of stone tool making and set his mind to all things practical. Hayoqwis noticed, however, that Tokwish didn't hesitate to ask for chants to be said for him before he set out on a hunt.
Once his uncle Spe-eth proudly said before the home fire that Hayoqwis had unusual sensitivities that gave him the wisdom of the aged -- even though he was almost nineteen years old. They all said that he had eyes to see what even the most wise elders failed to notice.
His reputation as a spiritual man is why his heart beat fast when he heard that the same new-woman living among the villages of the south that his uncle had smoked the suitor pipe for later had been given a vision of the supernatural butterfly as a sign of triumph over death.
He knew that that woman must be his wife, even though marriage to a woman this far south -- instead of from one of the villages on his own islands -- meant that he would have to become a Duwam'ha brave and live here instead. The two tribes would then be related and he could always return to hunt the hidden islands of his boyhood.
Feasting continued for two more days, the clan leaders and their male family members ate baked salmon, smoked salmon caviar, coal roasted small island deer and many rabbits cooked directly over the fire skewered with willow poles. All kinds of berries -- dried, cooked and freshly pressed or mixed with candlefish fat -- were enjoyed and cups of the sweetest spring water quenched thirst. When the men had all that they could eat, Duwam'ha fathers took what was left back to their long houses for the women and children to finish.
On the third day a feast was called for the whole tribe and high ranking wives and their children were permitted in the chief's house. Others crowded outside and were also served. All the while the suitor gifts were set on display, some sitting on top and other around their boxes on the dance platform for all to admire.
Then Chief Katee-qwa stepped onto the dance platform. His face was painted red with black circles signaling high status earned by many exploits for his people. Dressed in his ceremonial regalia of mountain-goat wool cape fitted with white rabbit fur tassels and red woodpecker feathers up and down and crowned with an eagle crest figure on his head and river mink fur moccasins on his feet, the noble chief took the Heron Speaking Stick from Lak'-a-tatt -- whose thunderbird regalia was equally impressive -- and hit the floor three sets of three. The talkative room stilled. Everyone knew that Chief was about to give the suitor testing speech and reveal the nature of the challenge that would determine the future of the two families.
"Our brothers of the Kaw-Seth traveled ten days to our summer camp here at Meet-in-Middle and have presented generous gifts of tribute. Our brothers bring a young suitor seeking a wife from among our newly turned women -- after obtaining the necessary permission from the kin and performing the rites of welcome in accordance to our ancient ways. He seeks to walk the Duwam'ha path and join our tribe as husband, hunter, fisherman, carver and storyteller. He offers himself for the testing, crossed by the shadow of our speaking stick, willing to endure the pains of the trial and challenge that we present.
"Know that not all seekers are admitted. My chiefly duties require that I act to protect the blood of my ancestors and permit only the strong, those men able to face discipline, able to listen to the voice of the Eternal One who speaks to quest seekers in the remote places, and those who will not be trapped in the underworld after death for befriending the rebellious spirits. But men pure of heart, destined to walk the star trail that leads to the hunting grounds of light on the last day. This suitor claims that he is willing and brave. This suitor knells in humility before the authority of the Duwam'ha chiefs and elders and swears that he will set his feet along our path both in this world and the next making our two people one in spirit and blood.
"Our test will confirm if the power of Wonderful Doer is with him or if he is an impostor inspired by demons to trick us with deceit and bring our children ruin. Now hear all. Let every man know that we will return the suitor gifts, every box and item -- except for the foodstuffs already consumed -- if this man proves unable, unfaithful, weak or an impostor allied with the rebellious spirit-tricksters who war against our souls.
"From where the sun now stands until the snow covers the mainland shores, Katee-qwa Son of Toohoolth, Chief of Two Villages, Host of five potlatches and descendant of Father Kakaw-who-survived-the-flood declares that you, oh Kaw-Seth suitor, must journey to the undersea world and steal the feast of the otter-people from their mouths and bring it here instead to feed my people. Before the next moon you must dive to the ocean floor and harvest one hundred abalone. On the day of the feast you must make sashes of the shells to decorate each figure of the Squawking Crane Totems.
"Before the coming of the winter winds, you must travel to Great Island and hunt a white forest bear, kill it without arrows, spear, knife of club and bring it's flawless, un-pierced coat back to my house. You will take the raw skin of the white forest bear back and fashion it into a fine cloak and head dress to wear at your wedding day the following year. In addition to the hunt and making the bear cloak, before you return to your village you must carve me a post for the new House-of-the-Moon-Saved-from-the-Codfish to commemorate these days.
"You must complete these tests and one more. Go home for a year and build a new canoe, a wedding ship, dig it out of a sacred cedar big enough for a husband, wife and child. Decorate it with carved figures of bears, butterflies and otters and for the prow fashion a heron flying into the wind. Next mid summer leave your father, say goodbye to your mother, brother and uncle and canoe to the mainland to find your way alone to Ocean Falls and the hill of the Thunderbird Nest Tree. Camp there by yourself until the first frost.
"At the foot of the tree you will find a bone flute buried there in a secret place for my future son in law to bring back to me. Learn the song that the Nest Tree teaches you and return to my people's winter village. Enter into the Winter Lodge wearing you white bear cloak and sing us the Nest Tree song accompanied by the flute. Then you must prepare a feast made of the blood and bones of your ancestors by telling the stories of your people to delight all the Duwam'ha.
"Nothing less or you will be sent home when the weather permits without a wife but with your gifts to be given to another. But hear me. Complete these tests and you will live with us as an honored young chief, united as one of us forever. Your children will be our children and your exploits counted with ours before the fires of the ancestors."
As the chief spoke, Hayoqwis knelt below the dance platform with his uncle on one side and his brother on the next. His head bowed and resting on his knees. When the chief finished his speech, Lak'-a-tatt took the speaking stick and pointed it down to the suitor, saying,
"Take off his regalia. He is now a suitor on quest and subject to the will of the Duwam'ha people until completion of the tests or when the snow covers the mainland beaches."
Two warriors made the suitor stand, his head still bowed, as they removed his owl head crest and took off his bead necklaces and ceremonial tunic and handed his clothing to his uncle, who passed them to his wife. Hayoqwis now wore only his otter moccasins and loincloth. The warriors used a basket full of bloodroot paint and cedar bough brushes to paint the suitor's skin a deep red, except for his face, which was already painted with the marking of a hunter. They then sprinkled mica dust on his body so that his skin sparkled in the firelight.
When Lak'-a-tatt gave his approval of the painting, Hayoqwis was led to the dance platform and handed a ceremonial dance spear decorated with many feathers and tiny blue beads along the shaft to signal the beginning of the suitor-in-quest dance. Holding the spear as if on a hunt, Hayoqwis crouched like a man stalking game, rocking back and forth in time searching into an imaginary forest while drums and flutes began to play.
Suddenly from out of the mouth of the moon figure painted on a panel directly behind the platform -- a circular doorway designed for dancers -- leap three dancers, one dressed as an raven, another as a bear and a third wearing a corpse mask.
The suitor-in-quest dance featured Hayoqwis hunting the other dancers, who moved to evade his advances and spear thrusts in time with the music which increased in pace and intensity until he symbolically defeats his foes and stands as a Welcome Man for all. He performed each step perfectly and the people witnessing it talked often about how handsome he looked. With the ceremonies complete, the people rose to depart the crowded lodge for the evening.
The day before Klinawey Aged Mother, the highest ranking matron of the village, took Hayoqwis aside to teach him the correct moves of the dance -- which was similar to one his people knew. While a drummer and flute player practiced the music, she explained each step that the audience would be expecting. Three young warriors joined him in practicing the dance.
The Duwam'ha suitor-in-quest dance goes like like this. First the suitor kills the raven and its head, represented by the removed mask, is held up as a prize while the dancer falls to the ground. In the same way the bear is cornered and defeated and its mask is added to the raven trophy. While the suitor exalts in his victory, the corpse dancer drags the raven and bear bodies behind the panel. When the suitor resumes the hunt, the corpse is much harder to capture than his companions and seems to mimic the suitor's every move, finally escaping again back through the dance hole. The suitor pursues, stabbing at the hole-door, when an unseen hand grabs the spear away and he falls back to the floor weaponless.
The beat of the music stops, then resumes slowly as the suitor stands to approach the hole step by step. The suitor looks into the hole and is pulled all of the way through. Silence is followed by a loud whistle and scream. With vigorous drums beats and singing a victor's song, the suitor finally drags the defeated corpse from behind stage and puts his knee on its neck. The suitor is given a red robe and puts on the Welcome Man mask then lifts both hands towards the audience in a final greeting to conclude the ceremony. He is now officially a suitor on quest.
Next chapter
The gifts were meant to demonstrate good faith and show that the family was serious about a possible marriage between their eligible brave and the famed Butterfly Woman. These would be difficult to return if the suitor was rejected. Later would come the bride price, which could be a whale, four sea lions or the equivalent of a summer's entire berry harvest.
Hayoqwis sat on the dance platform next to his brother and the other honored guests watching the family receive the gifts. His face was lit by the home fire and several bright torches and everyone could see that he also tried to look formal, even though the lights sparkled in his black eyes and revealed that he was either nervous or filled with heightened anticipation.
His long black hair hung to his shoulders and shined in the firelight along with the abalone shell eyes of the owl figure on his head crest. His beard was carefully plucked and his smooth face and bare chest was nicely painted as a prize-winning hunter. Young women giggled and old women noticed that he was both muscular and handsome -- more so than his younger brother Tokwish who was noticeably thinner and had a disfiguring scar across his face.
The lavish contents of the opened boxes also revealed that Hayoqwis was rich, perhaps too rich for Uma-kwee's family. It would be hard for them to reciprocate such fine goods and art works if one of their sons on a future summer's day sought a bride from the Kaw-Seth owl clan.
But, then that was the point of the testing rituals -- a less wealthy brave could still win a prized bride, proving himself worthy by fulfilling the challenge of the bride's chief. Hayoqwis had to remind himself that marriage matches did not depend on wealth alone. The tribes of the coast valued the gallantry of the suitor as an enduring form of wealth -- better than carved wood or woven bark -- even though while watching the delighted surprises of the family it occurred to him that Uma-kwee's parents might reject him knowing that they could not match the quality of his clan's gifts when the younger brothers came of age.
Success or failure was in the hand of Wonderful Doer now. All he could do was prepare himself for his performance of the Kaw-Seth dances. Besides -- if he was rejected this summer, he knew of girls form four other tribes willing to marry him. He never had a problem gaining the interest of the girls or favor of their parents. But, marriage to the Butterfly Woman in accordance to his uncle's dream would give him green heron titles and expanded fishing rights far south of Island Home. Best of all taking famed Uma'kwee as wife would restore glory to Owl House long over-shadowed by his family's rivals.
After a few days of feasting and dance performances the chief planned to reveal the nature of the challenge for Hayoqwis to complete if he hoped to be admitted to the tribe. These tests could last for the rest of the summer and sometimes continued into the winter before success was confirmed. This meant that the suitor would live with the host villagers for as long as half a year, proving that he was worthy to share the Duwam'ha way. He knew that a displeased chief or family member could simply add more and more tests until a disfavored suitor gives up.
Hayoqwis was confident in his ability to pass the test and win the favor of the family and tribe. He succeeded in all that he set his face to accomplish. He knew that he was a good hunter and stronger than most other men. He also had the spiritual power in his chest after spending many hours fasting before Wonderful Doer at the mouth of the sacred cave on Island Home. He had been trained in the way of the Sky World and consistently rejected the hidden entreaties of the demon Setko Raven Ghost who causes misery in the end for whoever sings his songs.
When he was a boy, his uncle and mentor Skygazer Spe-eth took him and his cousin Tiska on quests to the wilderness to teach them how to interpret the language of the animals and birds. Soon he learned how to drink from the same stream with the elk and how to walk silently in the forest to become invisible to the untrained. Soon he was able to come close to all kinds of wild creatures without frightening them away. Mastering the Kaw-Seth way made him confident in all that he did -- sure that his steps were lit by light of the true dawn that is appearing.
His father Clo-oose Maker of Many Boxes was pleased when he learned the family dances and performed them without error, unlike his brother who refused to endure the discipline of spending days memorizing the ancient songs. Hayoqwis suspected that Tokwish didn't believe in any power greater than himself, neither the Creator-of-Light or Raven Ghost. Tokwish devoted himself to learning the art of stone tool making and set his mind to all things practical. Hayoqwis noticed, however, that Tokwish didn't hesitate to ask for chants to be said for him before he set out on a hunt.
Once his uncle Spe-eth proudly said before the home fire that Hayoqwis had unusual sensitivities that gave him the wisdom of the aged -- even though he was almost nineteen years old. They all said that he had eyes to see what even the most wise elders failed to notice.
His reputation as a spiritual man is why his heart beat fast when he heard that the same new-woman living among the villages of the south that his uncle had smoked the suitor pipe for later had been given a vision of the supernatural butterfly as a sign of triumph over death.
He knew that that woman must be his wife, even though marriage to a woman this far south -- instead of from one of the villages on his own islands -- meant that he would have to become a Duwam'ha brave and live here instead. The two tribes would then be related and he could always return to hunt the hidden islands of his boyhood.
Feasting continued for two more days, the clan leaders and their male family members ate baked salmon, smoked salmon caviar, coal roasted small island deer and many rabbits cooked directly over the fire skewered with willow poles. All kinds of berries -- dried, cooked and freshly pressed or mixed with candlefish fat -- were enjoyed and cups of the sweetest spring water quenched thirst. When the men had all that they could eat, Duwam'ha fathers took what was left back to their long houses for the women and children to finish.
On the third day a feast was called for the whole tribe and high ranking wives and their children were permitted in the chief's house. Others crowded outside and were also served. All the while the suitor gifts were set on display, some sitting on top and other around their boxes on the dance platform for all to admire.
Then Chief Katee-qwa stepped onto the dance platform. His face was painted red with black circles signaling high status earned by many exploits for his people. Dressed in his ceremonial regalia of mountain-goat wool cape fitted with white rabbit fur tassels and red woodpecker feathers up and down and crowned with an eagle crest figure on his head and river mink fur moccasins on his feet, the noble chief took the Heron Speaking Stick from Lak'-a-tatt -- whose thunderbird regalia was equally impressive -- and hit the floor three sets of three. The talkative room stilled. Everyone knew that Chief was about to give the suitor testing speech and reveal the nature of the challenge that would determine the future of the two families.
"Our brothers of the Kaw-Seth traveled ten days to our summer camp here at Meet-in-Middle and have presented generous gifts of tribute. Our brothers bring a young suitor seeking a wife from among our newly turned women -- after obtaining the necessary permission from the kin and performing the rites of welcome in accordance to our ancient ways. He seeks to walk the Duwam'ha path and join our tribe as husband, hunter, fisherman, carver and storyteller. He offers himself for the testing, crossed by the shadow of our speaking stick, willing to endure the pains of the trial and challenge that we present.
"Know that not all seekers are admitted. My chiefly duties require that I act to protect the blood of my ancestors and permit only the strong, those men able to face discipline, able to listen to the voice of the Eternal One who speaks to quest seekers in the remote places, and those who will not be trapped in the underworld after death for befriending the rebellious spirits. But men pure of heart, destined to walk the star trail that leads to the hunting grounds of light on the last day. This suitor claims that he is willing and brave. This suitor knells in humility before the authority of the Duwam'ha chiefs and elders and swears that he will set his feet along our path both in this world and the next making our two people one in spirit and blood.
"Our test will confirm if the power of Wonderful Doer is with him or if he is an impostor inspired by demons to trick us with deceit and bring our children ruin. Now hear all. Let every man know that we will return the suitor gifts, every box and item -- except for the foodstuffs already consumed -- if this man proves unable, unfaithful, weak or an impostor allied with the rebellious spirit-tricksters who war against our souls.
"From where the sun now stands until the snow covers the mainland shores, Katee-qwa Son of Toohoolth, Chief of Two Villages, Host of five potlatches and descendant of Father Kakaw-who-survived-the-flood declares that you, oh Kaw-Seth suitor, must journey to the undersea world and steal the feast of the otter-people from their mouths and bring it here instead to feed my people. Before the next moon you must dive to the ocean floor and harvest one hundred abalone. On the day of the feast you must make sashes of the shells to decorate each figure of the Squawking Crane Totems.
"Before the coming of the winter winds, you must travel to Great Island and hunt a white forest bear, kill it without arrows, spear, knife of club and bring it's flawless, un-pierced coat back to my house. You will take the raw skin of the white forest bear back and fashion it into a fine cloak and head dress to wear at your wedding day the following year. In addition to the hunt and making the bear cloak, before you return to your village you must carve me a post for the new House-of-the-Moon-Saved-from-the-Codfish to commemorate these days.
"You must complete these tests and one more. Go home for a year and build a new canoe, a wedding ship, dig it out of a sacred cedar big enough for a husband, wife and child. Decorate it with carved figures of bears, butterflies and otters and for the prow fashion a heron flying into the wind. Next mid summer leave your father, say goodbye to your mother, brother and uncle and canoe to the mainland to find your way alone to Ocean Falls and the hill of the Thunderbird Nest Tree. Camp there by yourself until the first frost.
"At the foot of the tree you will find a bone flute buried there in a secret place for my future son in law to bring back to me. Learn the song that the Nest Tree teaches you and return to my people's winter village. Enter into the Winter Lodge wearing you white bear cloak and sing us the Nest Tree song accompanied by the flute. Then you must prepare a feast made of the blood and bones of your ancestors by telling the stories of your people to delight all the Duwam'ha.
"Nothing less or you will be sent home when the weather permits without a wife but with your gifts to be given to another. But hear me. Complete these tests and you will live with us as an honored young chief, united as one of us forever. Your children will be our children and your exploits counted with ours before the fires of the ancestors."
As the chief spoke, Hayoqwis knelt below the dance platform with his uncle on one side and his brother on the next. His head bowed and resting on his knees. When the chief finished his speech, Lak'-a-tatt took the speaking stick and pointed it down to the suitor, saying,
"Take off his regalia. He is now a suitor on quest and subject to the will of the Duwam'ha people until completion of the tests or when the snow covers the mainland beaches."
Two warriors made the suitor stand, his head still bowed, as they removed his owl head crest and took off his bead necklaces and ceremonial tunic and handed his clothing to his uncle, who passed them to his wife. Hayoqwis now wore only his otter moccasins and loincloth. The warriors used a basket full of bloodroot paint and cedar bough brushes to paint the suitor's skin a deep red, except for his face, which was already painted with the marking of a hunter. They then sprinkled mica dust on his body so that his skin sparkled in the firelight.
When Lak'-a-tatt gave his approval of the painting, Hayoqwis was led to the dance platform and handed a ceremonial dance spear decorated with many feathers and tiny blue beads along the shaft to signal the beginning of the suitor-in-quest dance. Holding the spear as if on a hunt, Hayoqwis crouched like a man stalking game, rocking back and forth in time searching into an imaginary forest while drums and flutes began to play.
Suddenly from out of the mouth of the moon figure painted on a panel directly behind the platform -- a circular doorway designed for dancers -- leap three dancers, one dressed as an raven, another as a bear and a third wearing a corpse mask.
The suitor-in-quest dance featured Hayoqwis hunting the other dancers, who moved to evade his advances and spear thrusts in time with the music which increased in pace and intensity until he symbolically defeats his foes and stands as a Welcome Man for all. He performed each step perfectly and the people witnessing it talked often about how handsome he looked. With the ceremonies complete, the people rose to depart the crowded lodge for the evening.
The day before Klinawey Aged Mother, the highest ranking matron of the village, took Hayoqwis aside to teach him the correct moves of the dance -- which was similar to one his people knew. While a drummer and flute player practiced the music, she explained each step that the audience would be expecting. Three young warriors joined him in practicing the dance.
The Duwam'ha suitor-in-quest dance goes like like this. First the suitor kills the raven and its head, represented by the removed mask, is held up as a prize while the dancer falls to the ground. In the same way the bear is cornered and defeated and its mask is added to the raven trophy. While the suitor exalts in his victory, the corpse dancer drags the raven and bear bodies behind the panel. When the suitor resumes the hunt, the corpse is much harder to capture than his companions and seems to mimic the suitor's every move, finally escaping again back through the dance hole. The suitor pursues, stabbing at the hole-door, when an unseen hand grabs the spear away and he falls back to the floor weaponless.
The beat of the music stops, then resumes slowly as the suitor stands to approach the hole step by step. The suitor looks into the hole and is pulled all of the way through. Silence is followed by a loud whistle and scream. With vigorous drums beats and singing a victor's song, the suitor finally drags the defeated corpse from behind stage and puts his knee on its neck. The suitor is given a red robe and puts on the Welcome Man mask then lifts both hands towards the audience in a final greeting to conclude the ceremony. He is now officially a suitor on quest.
Next chapter
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