THE SISSAUCH DANCE

In the late nineteenth century, Norwegian-born Fillip Jacobsen lived a nd traveled among the Native groups of the Northwest Coast. Jacobsen, a journalist, published his observations of Native customs, legends, a nd dances in scientific and other journals in German and Swedish. His description of the Sisaok or Sissauch dance among the Bella Coola is a detailed, first-hand account and his narration of the origin myth con cerning the dance is in many ways more complete than some legends coll ected by Boas. This article is a translation of Jacobsen's 1891 public ation in the Swedish journal, Ymer. It incorporates many elements surr ounding the Sissauch or sacred dance, including myth, masks and other accoutrements, feasting, and potlatching. His candid remarks concernin g the purchase of dance paraphernalia from a Bella Coola chief add his torical and even political relevance to this ethnographically signific ant piece.