Qauaxsaqssuq, a mistreated boy with a small stature but immense strength, endured harsh conditions and cruelty. Despite his hardships, he became a revered and feared shaman. His strength was legendary—killing three bears with ease. Yet, his life ended tragically when enemies sabotaged his kayak, causing him to drown. His story reflects resilience, power, and the vulnerability of even the strongest against treachery.
Source:
Tales of the Smith Sound Eskimo
by Alfred L. Kroeber
[The American Folklore Society]
Journal of American Folklore
Vol.12, No.46, pp.166-182
July-September, 1899
► Themes of the story
Transformation: Qauaxsaqssuq evolves from a mistreated boy into a revered and feared shaman, showcasing a profound personal change.
Revenge and Justice: After enduring cruelty, Qauaxsaqssuq demonstrates his immense strength, leading to a shift in how others perceive and treat him, reflecting elements of retribution and the restoration of order.
Tragic Flaw: Despite his strength, Qauaxsaqssuq’s trust or perhaps oversight leads to his demise when enemies sabotage his kayak, highlighting a vulnerability that results in his tragic end.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Inuit peoples
In Greenland: Kagsagsuk, Kausaksuk, Kausaksuk
In Labrador: Kaujakjuk
In Baffin Land: Qaudjaqdjuq
Qauaxsaqssuq was a boy that was maltreated by all. In the daytime his mother hid him in the beds, but at night she had to take him out. Then he slept either in the doorway or on the roof, over the lamp-hole, in order to get at least a little warmth.
He was generally lifted and carried by the nostrils, the crooked fingers being inserted in them. He always remained small, but his feet grew very large. He was a great angakoq (shaman), and was very strong. Finally he grew tired of the bad treatment he received, and showed his strength, after which, though he never killed any one, he was much dreaded and feared.
Once he was indoors, lying on the bed without any boots on, when a man arrived inquiring for him. “Qauaxsaqssuq has gone into the house over there, and is inside,” he was told.
► Continue reading…
Then the man called to Qauaxsaqssuq from outdoors, “Qauaxsaqssuq! Three large bears have come over from the land, and are now on the ice. Come out!” “Yes,” said Qauaxsaqssuq, and hastened to dress and put on his boots. Then he came out and saw the three bears. Holding only a knife in his hand, he ran after them. He had no dogs to harry the bears and bring them to bay, but he soon caught up with them. He first seized the old one and twisted off its head, so that it was immediately dead. Then he took the cubs and knocked their heads together, and twisted their necks until they were dead. Then he took them up, the old one on one side, the cubs on the other, and carried them home. He brought the three bears to the assembled people, who proceeded to cut them up, put them in pots, cook them, and eat them.
Qauaxsaqssuq was immensely strong, and what was heavy for others was very light for him. In spite of his small size, he could easily lift the largest rocks. He had enemies, who however were afraid to do anything against him openly. So once, when he went away to Qavanganiq, where he had a kayak, they secretly cut a hole in the skin-covering of his kayak. When Qauaxsaqssuq got into his boat, and out into the water, the boat began to fill with water, and thus it was that Qauaxsaqssuq drowned.
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