This set of four masks represents the supernatural Brothers who were created at the beginning of time by the supreme spirit,  Ahlkuntam, and were given the task of ordering the world. These and other supernatural beings were honored in the Nuxalk Winter Ceremonial called "Kusuit," comparable to the "Kwakwaka' Wakw Tseyka." The oldest, and most powerful of the brothers was named "Yula'Timot" (he who completes any task with a single smooth motion) and is credited with creating fire. The second Brother brought rain, and was called "Mal Apa' Litsek" (he who completes any task with a single stroke of an adze). The creator of trees "Mal' Ape' Exoek" (he who completes any task with two strokes of an adze), was the third Brother. "Il' Ilu' Lak" (He who completes a single task in a single day), the fourth Brother, created the world.

 

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