Kwakiutl mythology

Tsonoqwa[?] (Tsonokwa[?]) is a type of cannibal giant called Geekumhl[?] and comes in both male and female forms. The female for is the most common; she eats children and cries "hu-hu!" to attract them, as well as offering candy and treasure. Children frequently outwit her and take her treasures without being eaten. The female form is also a

Kewkwaxa'we[?] is the raven spirit, who brought the Kawkiutl people the moon, fire, salmon, the sun and the tides.

Of particular importance in Kwakiutl culture is the secret society called Hamatsa[?]. During the winter, there is a four-day, complex dance that serves to iniate new members of Hamatsa. Some of the dancers represent various spirits, including Bakbakwalanooksiwae[?] ("cannibal at the north end of the world"; he is actually invisible and each dancer represents a mouth). The initiates are possessed by Bakbakwalanooksiwae on the first day of the ceremony and wanders into the woods until the end. When the initiate returns, he enacts a cannibalistic experience symbolically. Kwakwakalanooksiwae[?] is the most prestigious role in the ceremony; he is a cannibalistic raven monster. Galokwudzuwis[?] ("crooked beak of heaven") and Hokhokw[?] (cannibalistic bird who crushes skulls) are other participants.