A woman, eager to encounter a spirit despite Inuit warnings, entered the singing house in darkness. She summoned the spirit, questioning its form piece by piece. The spirit replied, revealing its presence. When she touched its head—boneless and hairless—she collapsed, lifeless. The tale underscores the peril of confronting the unknown and heeding cultural warnings.
Source:
The Central Eskimo
by Franz Boas
[Bureau of American Ethnology]
Sixth Annual Report
Washington, 1888
► Themes of the story
Forbidden Knowledge: The woman’s determination to encounter the spirit, despite warnings, illustrates the peril of seeking hidden truths.
Supernatural Beings: The narrative centers on an encounter with a spirit, highlighting interactions between humans and otherworldly entities.
Divine Punishment: The woman’s disregard for cultural warnings leads to her demise, suggesting retribution from higher powers for her transgression.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Inuit peoples
Once upon a time a woman entered the singing house when it was quite dark. For a long time she had wished to see the spirit of the house, and though the Inuit had warned her of the impending danger she had insisted upon her undertaking.
She summoned the spirit, saying, “If you are in the house, come here.” As she could not see him, she cried, “No spirit is here; he will not come.” But the spirit, though yet invisible, said, “Here I am; there I am.” Then the woman asked. “Where are your feet; where are your shins; where are your thighs; where are your hips; where are your loins?”
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Every time the spirit answered, “Here they are; there they are.” And she asked further, “Where is your belly?” “Here it is.” answered the spirit. “Where is your breast; where are your shoulders; where is your neck; where is your head?” “Here it is; there it is;” but in touching the head the woman all of a sudden fell dead. It had no bones and no hair.
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Dreamtime Whispers 