A Greenlandic legend tells of two old men, Nevingasilernak and Nivfigfarsuk, who magically moved an island that blocked access to the sea. Opposed by Kiviaritajak, they used a child’s hair and chants to tow the island northward, despite his sealskin thong breaking. The island, now Disco Island, left an elevated seabed in its path as it was relocated near Ilulissat.
Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875
► Themes of the story
Supernatural Beings: The protagonists employ magical means to move the island, indicating interactions with supernatural forces.
Conflict with Nature: The narrative centers on altering the natural landscape to improve access to the sea, highlighting a struggle against natural obstacles.
Cunning and Deception: The use of a child’s hair and chants to secretly move the island demonstrates cleverness and strategic planning to achieve their goal.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Inuit peoples
Abridged version of the story.
Off the southernmost part of Greenland an island was situated which some of the inhabitants of the mainland took a dislike to, because it cut them off from the open sea. Two old men got the idea of removing it by some magic lay. Their names were Nevingasilernak and Nivfigfarsuk; but another oldster, called Kiviaritajak, rather inclined to retain the island. The first two went in their kayaks to fasten a hair from the head of a little child to the outside, while the last from shore tried to keep it back by means of a thong of sealskin made fast to it. The two old kayakers then pushed off, chanting their spells and tugging the hair. At length the thong burst, and the island got afloat; and continually singing, they pulled away to the north, and placed it in front of Ilulissat. It is now Disco Island. The translation caused the bottom of the sea to rise all along where they travelled.
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