In Saglek Bay, a giant tyrant bullied villagers until they cunningly killed him. Meanwhile, Alasuq, a strong and well-loved dwarf, lived with his mother. When the giant challenged the hunters to a kayak race, only Alasuq dared to compete. Using an oversized paddle, he easily won, earning respect. A similar tale exists among the Baffin Island Eskimo, featuring a strong dwarf triumphing over taunts.
Source:
The Labrador Eskimo
by E.W. Hawkes
[Canada, Department of Mines]
Geological Survey, Memoir 91
Anthropological Series no. 14
Ottawa, 1916
► Themes of the story
Trickster: The villagers cunningly deceive the tyrannical giant into allowing himself to be bound, leading to his demise.
Cultural Heroes: Alasuq, despite his small stature, demonstrates remarkable strength and bravery by accepting the giant’s challenge, ultimately earning the respect and admiration of his community.
Good vs. Evil: The narrative portrays the struggle between the oppressive giant (evil) and the courageous villagers and Alasuq (good), culminating in the triumph of good over evil.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Inuit peoples
A long time ago there lived in Saglek bay a giant who played the tyrant over the people there. He would do no work, but stole seals from the hunters. They did not dare to show their resentment because he was so big and strong. Finally they killed him by getting him to allow himself to be bound.
In the same village there lived a dwarf named Alasuq. He lived alone with his mother. His father had died when he was young, and he had supported his mother ever since, like a man. Although he was so small, he was very strong. He was a jolly little fellow and well liked by all the people.
► Continue reading…
One day the giant, who was always boasting what he could do and frightening the hunters, challenged them to a kayak race around an island in the bay. None of them dared to accept, but little Alasuq said he would try him. Everyone laughed at him, but it did not turn him from his purpose.
He laid aside his usual paddle, and made himself an enormously large one, larger even than the giant’s. It had holes in the middle for hand grips.
When he came out to race, all the people remarked about it, particularly the giant, who made fun of the little man and his big paddle.
But when they started, no one laughed any more. The little fellow handled his paddle so strongly that he would have broken an ordinary paddle. He quickly outdistanced the giant. When he was rounding the island, long before he came in sight, the people could hear his kayak, shish, cleaving the water. The giant was badly beaten, but took it goodnaturedly, as, of course, he had to, having challenged the hunters.
The little dwarf lived for a long time afterwards, and was always much respected by the people.
The Baffin Island Eskimo of Cumberland sound have a tale of a dwarf who was very strong and a great kayaker. He defeats two young men who had taunted him on account of his small size.
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