Big-Raven, struggling with hunger, finds Fish-Woman and brings her home. They live together, but Miti’ grows jealous and kills Fish-Woman twice, cooking and eating her flesh. Each time, Fish-Woman miraculously revives and gives Big-Raven food. Eventually, Fish-Woman leaves, foreseeing that Miti’ will eventually kill her for good, and Big-Raven can no longer summon her.
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
Supernatural Beings: Fish-Woman possesses extraordinary abilities, such as self-revival and providing sustenance, highlighting her supernatural nature.
Conflict with Authority: Miti’s actions challenge the household’s harmony and authority, creating internal conflict.
Loss and Renewal: The cycle of Fish-Woman’s death and revival represents themes of loss and renewal within the narrative.
► 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, Decmber 1900 – April, 1901.
Big-Raven lived with his family. They had nothing to eat. He went to the sea, and found there Fish-Woman. He brought her home. She cast forth spawn and they ate it. Then Big-Raven married Fish-Woman. Miti’ grew jealous. Big-Raven went into the open. Then Miti’ struck Fish-Woman and killed her. She cooked her flesh and ate of it. Some of it she left for her husband.
Then Big-Raven came home. “Fish-Woman, come out.” Then that one who was just cooked, stepped forth from the rear storeroom. He came in and she gave him food. Then she said to him, “Just now Miti’ has killed me, and cooked my flesh.” The next day he went away again. Miti’ again attacked Fish-Woman. She wrung her neck (and thought,) “This time I have killed her.” Big-Raven came back and she revived again and gave him food.
► Continue reading…
After that Fish-Woman went away. (She said,) “Miti’ some day will make an end of me.” Big-Raven came back, but she was not there. He came to the sea-shore and called out, “Fish-Woman, come here.” – “I shall not come. Miti’ will try to kill me again.” So he could not call her out.
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 