Big-Raven leaves to gather willow-bark, during which Magpie-Man courts his wife, Miti’. Upon discovering the betrayal, Big-Raven creates smoke to expose Magpie-Man, who escapes. Miti’ later gives birth to two eggs that hatch into magpie-children. After an argument over food, Miti’ leaves with the children to join Magpie-Man. Big-Raven attempts reconciliation but is humiliated and returns home alone.
Source
Koryak Texts
by Waldemar Bogoras
American Ethnological Society
Publications, Volume V
(edited by Franz Boas)
E. J. Brill – Leyden, 1917
► Themes of the story
Love and Betrayal: Miti’s infidelity with Magpie-Man and the subsequent dissolution of her relationship with Big-Raven highlight themes of romantic bonds being tested and broken.
Family Dynamics: The interactions between Big-Raven, Miti’, and their children underscore complex familial relationships, including parental challenges and the impact of infidelity on family structure.
Cunning and Deception: Magpie-Man’s secretive courtship of Miti’ and the concealment of their affair involve deceit and cunning behavior.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Koryak people
Collected in the village of Kamenskoye, on Penshina Bay, with the help of Nicholas Vilkhin, a half-Russianized Koryak, December 1900 – April, 1901.
Big-Raven lived with his family. Oh, Big-Raven said, “I will (go and) fetch some willow-bark.” Oh, Miti’ went to feed the little puppies. Magpie-Man came to eat there. He pecked at Miti’s face (to show his love), and her nose was covered with scratches.
Oh, that one (Big-Raven) comes home! He said to Miti’, “What has happened to you? Your nose is scratched all over.” She said, “By hitting with my nose against the sharp ends of the door-shed corner I was scratched thus.” Oh, Big-Raven cut away all the ends of the dog-shed corners. Then again he went for willow-bark. Miti’ went out, perched on the top of the dog-shed, and began to sing, “I am walking along the cross beam!”
Then Magpie-Man came, and said, “Let us enter the sleeping-room! Big-Raven will not come back soon. He will not catch us.”
► Continue reading…
She took him into (the house), just as soon as they entered the sleeping-room and began to make love there, then Big-Raven came back, and called out, “Miti’, take this load of willow!” Miti’ said, “Let the I’kla [small wooden charms of human shape] bring it down! I am busy trampling a half-scraped skin with lily feet.” – “Nay,” said Big-Raven, “I want you to take it down.” Oh, Miti’ took it, and with a violent pull drew it into the house.
Then Big-Raven entered the house and made a smouldering fire. He also stopped up the entrance-hole and the smoke-hole, so that the sleeping-room was full of smoke. Then a Magpie’s voice was heard from the sleeping-room. That Magpie came out. He escaped through a narrow crack.
“(See) what (this) Magpie has done to me!” The Magpie, however, went home. Miti’ was with child. After some time she brought forth two small eggs. (The two children) grew rapidly, and Big-Raven had a great love for them.
Big-Raven’s people were storing their catch of fish. Those two said, “Mamma, we are hungry.” She said, “Go out and say to daddy, ‘We are hungry.’” They went out, and were given two whole dried salmon. They entered, and nibbled up the fish. Then they said again, “We are hungry.” Miti’ said to them, “Go out and ask daddy for more.”
They went out. “Daddy, we are hungry!” – “No wonder! Two thievish magpies!” Those two sons began to weep. “Oh, he is reproaching us!” Miti’ said to them, “Go out and tell him, ‘Our real daddy is herding reindeer (with the wealthy reindeer-breeders).’” (After that) they entered again, and Miti’ put them into a grass bag, (placing) each in one of the (lower) corners. She went away, and came to Magpie-Man and flung (her bag right in).
Big-Raven said, “I feel lonely. I will go to Miti’.” He went and came there. (The people said,) “Miti’, come out! Your old man has come to you.” Miti’ said, “Has he no legs? Let him enter of his own accord!” He entered, and she gave him food. He began to eat, and was choking. Then he ran out of the house.
Miti’ called to him. She said, “Big-Raven!” – “Oi!” Then he could not help himself, and shouted, “Oi!” The piece that choked him flew out (of his mouth, and fell down) at a great distance. Then Big-Raven went home.
That is all.
Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page
Dreamtime Whispers 