Before European encounter, the various rites of the "Hain" lasted a very long time, perhaps even a year on occasion. It would end with the last fight against the "worst" spirit. Usually "Hains" were started when there was enough food (for example a whale was washed onto the coast), a time when all the Selk'nam from all the bands used to gather at one place, in male and female camps. "Spirits" sometimes went to female encampments to scare them, as well as moving around and acting out in ways that related to their characters.