Nakasungnak, a stubborn and daring man, settled among northern seafarers and faced numerous challenges. Ignoring warnings, he killed a deadly ice-covered bear by leaping into its mouth armed only with a knife but emerged injured. Despite surviving, he repeatedly dismissed advice, failing to catch magical birds, fish, and ultimately falling victim to swarming giant gnats. His defiance ultimately led to his demise, leaving only a skeleton behind.
Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875
► Themes of the story
Divine Punishment: Nakasungnak’s repeated defiance of warnings and his reckless actions lead to severe consequences, culminating in his demise.
Tragic Flaw: His obstinacy and hubris drive him to undertake perilous challenges, ultimately resulting in his downfall.
Conflict with Nature: Nakasungnak’s confrontations with formidable natural creatures, such as the ice-covered bear and giant gnats, highlight the perils of underestimating the natural world’s dangers.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Inuit peoples
For this tale, only the principal parts have been selected, and are given here in a very fragmentary form.
Nakasungnak travelled far up north, and settled down with some people who used boats, but no kayaks. He was very presumptuous and obstinate. His new place-fellows told him that before long the ice-covered bear would make its appearance, that it was very dangerous, and for mere men a deed impracticable to slay it. But Nakasungnak, nothing heeding, set out to encounter the terrible animal; and on discovering it, he ran in upon it only armed with a knife. He instantly disappeared down its open mouth. The bear was then seen to totter, and soon after fell down dead. On approaching it, they observed a knife sticking out between its ribs; and when the hole was widened Nakasungnak jumped out of it; but his hair, as well as the skin of his face, had come off, and shivering with cold and ague, he ran away to the house.
► Continue reading…
In the meantime, the bear’s flesh served them for food the greater part of the winter. Afterwards they told Nakasungnak how to behave when they were going to catch the birds that could speak, and the little fishes with both eyes on one side. The swarms of birds and fishes appeared; but Nakasungnak would not follow the advice they gave him, and consequently got none. Lastly, they told him that gnats were soon expected, the size of sea-fowls, and with stings like the point of an arrow; and when the swarms were approaching, and seen to come on like broken clouds from the south, the people had to retreat to their tents and close them with all care. Nakasungnak, however, again disregarded their warnings, and took no notice of what they had said. When the clouds appeared, and all the others sped into their tents, he remained outside. When all was over, and they went out to look for Nakasungnak, they found only a skeleton lying beneath the boat.
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 