Calnis

Calnis is a supernatural being of the Pomo who dwells in human form at the eastern end of the world, the counterpart of the healer Guksu of the south, alongside whom he appears in the guksu ceremonies (Barrett 1917; Loeb 1926). Unlike the curative Guksu, to whom the doctors prayed, Calnis was reckoned testy: he pursued people and tripped them up. His impersonators in the dance painted themselves entirely black, carried a black staff, and wore a cape of feathers over the face, in contrast to the red-striped, long-nosed guksu dancers (Barrett 1917; Loeb 1932).

Domains

• eastern world end
• ceremonial dance

Powers

• to pursue people and trip them up

Relations

• subordinate to: KuksuCalnis was impersonated alongside Guksu (Kuksu) in the guksu ceremonies as the eastern counterpart and companion of the great healer from the south, who remained the principal figure of the rite.Barrett, S. A. (1917). Ceremonies of the Pomo Indians. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 12(10): 397–441. Berkeley: University of California Press. (secondary); Loeb, Edwin M. (1926). Pomo Folkways. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 19(2): 149–405. Berkeley: University of California Press. (secondary)

Sources

• Calnis is a Pomo supernatural being in human form who dwells at the eastern end of the world and was impersonated alongside Guksu in the guksu ceremonies.: Barrett, S. A. (1917). Ceremonies of the Pomo Indians. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 12(10): 397–441. Berkeley: University of California Press. (secondary); Loeb, Edwin M. (1926). Pomo Folkways. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 19(2): 149–405. Berkeley: University of California Press. (secondary); Loeb, Edwin M. (1932). The Western Kuksu Cult. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 33(1): 1–137. Berkeley: University of California Press. (secondary)