A reclusive young man, strengthened by lifting stones, ventured out to find a wife. In a distant village, he overcame challenges from the local champion: hunting white whales, winning a boat race using magic, and triumphing in a deadly wrestling match. Declared the new champion, he claimed his rival’s wives and possessions, securing love, glory, and respect through strength and cunning.
Source
Eskimo and Aleut Stories from Alaska
collected by F.A. Golder
The Journal of American Folklore
Vol. 22, No. 83, Jan. – Mar., 1909
► Themes of the story
Hero’s Journey: The protagonist embarks on a transformative adventure, leaving his solitary life to face challenges and ultimately achieve his goal.
Cunning and Deception: He uses wit and magical means, such as transforming his boat into a beluga, to outsmart his opponent during the boat race.
Conflict with Authority: By defeating the local champion, he challenges and overturns the existing power structure in the village.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Aleut people
Unga story
Once upon a time there was a young man who lived all alone, far from other people. He had a habit of lifting stones, — at first small ones, but he gradually grew so strong that even large ones yielded to him. When he became old enough to marry, he decided to go out in the world to get a wife, — peaceably if he could, but he was also prepared to fight for her.
After several days’ paddling, he came one night to a village. In one hut he saw a light, and thither he directed his footsteps, and found a young girl, who greeted him, gave him something to eat and a place to sleep. As soon as the inhabitants of the village heard of the presence of a stranger they sent him a challenge.
► Continue reading…
An old man presented himself, and through the intestine window shouted, “Our champion would like with the new arrival try his strength.” The meaning of the words were explained to the young man by the girl, and she advised him to accept.
The first test of skill consisted in securing white whales. Each contestant went in his own boat in the presence of the villagers. In the evening they returned; and the new-comer, having secured the largest number of these animals, was declared the victor.
On the following day another challenge was delivered in the manner indicated above. This time it was to be a boat-race. When the rivals met on the beach, their bidarkas were side by side; and between them was placed a bow and arrow, to be used by the victor on the vanquished. The race was to be around a large island facing the village. They got away together, and for a time the contest was in doubt — first one and then the other leading. But as the race progressed, the local champion took the lead, and gradually drew away from his rival until he lost sight of him altogether. So certain were the old men on the shore of the outcome of the race, that they would not even remain to see the finish. But the new-comer, when he saw himself outdistanced, turned to his boat, which was made of beluga (white whale) skin, and commanded it to be changed to a beluga, swim under the water, and overtake the local champion. When close to the shore, he came up, assuming his natural shape, and landed. The local champion, on looking back and not seeing his rival, slowed up, feeling certain of victory. Great was therefore his astonishment and fright on beholding him on the beach with the bow in his hand. He had little time to think, for the twice victorious hero shot him. While eating supper at the home of the young girl, an old man came to request him to go to the beach to withdraw the arrow from the local hero, since no one else could do it. He went and did as he was asked, and the ex-champion became well again.
When the evening of the third day came around, the young man was challenged once more, in the usual manner, to a wrestling-match to take place in the “Large House.” In the centre was a large pit, fenced in, containing many human bones and shaman worms. It was understood that the victor was to throw his victim into the pit, from which he could not get out, and where the worms would eat him. Life, love, and glory hung on the outcome of the struggle, and both men fought hard and long. At last the stone-lifting exercise of the new-comer came to his aid. By a skilful movement he lifted the local champion off his feet and threw him into the pit.
The crowd declared the young man from now on their champion. He went to the home of his defeated rival to claim the spoils of war, which in this case included two wives, furs, etc.
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