An angakok performed a conjuration to ensure successful seal-hunting. He journeyed to the sea’s depths to confront the enraged arnarkuagsak, an old hag. Inside her abode, she angrily retrieved bloody clothes and a crying baby from behind her ears, tossing them to the floor. Through his efforts, the angakok managed to appease her, securing her favor for the hunt.
Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875
► Themes of the story
Divine Intervention: The angakok (shaman) descends to the sea’s depths to confront the arnarkuagsak, an old hag, seeking her favor to ensure successful seal-hunting.
Supernatural Beings: The story features the arnarkuagsak, a supernatural entity residing beneath the sea, influencing the success of human endeavors like hunting.
Quest: The angakok undertakes a perilous journey to the underwater abode of the arnarkuagsak, aiming to secure her favor for the benefit of his community.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Inuit peoples
Abridged version of the story.
An angakok performed a conjuration in order to procure good seal-hunting. He went down to the old hag, the arnarkuagsak, at the bottom of the sea, and found her in a great rage.
Having entered her abode, she seized hold of her hair behind one ear, grasping some bloody clothes, and afterwards from behind the other one she fetched down a crying baby, flinging both upon the floor.
The angakok then succeeded in propitiating her.
► Continue reading…
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 