A woman mated with a dog and bore ten children. As they grew, she commanded them to devour her father. Dividing them into two groups, she sent five inland, where they became erkileks, while the other five received an old boot. Placed in the sea, it transformed into a ship, leading them away, where they became kavdlunaks (Europeans).
Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875
► Themes of the story
Transformation: The woman’s offspring undergo significant changes, with some becoming erkileks and others transforming into Europeans (kavdlunaks).
Origin of Things: This narrative offers an explanation for the emergence of different groups, such as Europeans, within Inuit mythology.
Supernatural Beings: The story features elements beyond the natural world, including the woman’s union with a dog and the subsequent birth of extraordinary children.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Inuit peoples
Abridged version of the story.
A woman who was mated with a dog got ten children.
When they had grown larger, she ordered them to devour her father, whereupon she divided them into two parties and sent them off from home to seek their subsistence henceforth by themselves.
Five of them, who were sent up the country, grew erkileks; and to the other five she gave the sole of an old boot, and put it in the sea, where it rapidly expanded and grew a ship, in which they went off, turning into kavdlunaks (Europeans).
► 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 