Dca’ndui, a renowned hunter, struggled to catch marmots as his traps were mysteriously sprung. After fasting and strengthening his traps, he captured Wolverene, who offered assistance. Wolverene advised Dca’ndui to fast and save his urine, which Wolverene used for cleansing, leading to successful hunts. He also warned against eating a specific marmot bone; when Dca’ndui disobeyed, bad weather ensued. Upon confession, Wolverene rectified the situation, resulting in abundant meat. Dca’ndui returned home with a massive load, attributing his success to Wolverene’s guidance.
Source:
Tahltan Tales
by James A. Teit
The American Folklore Society
Journal of American Folklore
Vol.32, No.124, pp.198-250
April-June, 1917
Vol.34, No.133, pp.223-253
July-September, 1921
Vol.34, No.134, pp.335-356
October-December, 1921
► Themes of the story
Forbidden Knowledge: The tale emphasizes the importance of adhering to specific taboos, such as avoiding the consumption of certain marmot bones, and the consequences of violating them.
Moral Lessons: The story imparts ethical teachings about honesty, respect for traditions, and the repercussions of one’s actions.
Harmony with Nature: The narrative underscores the significance of living in balance with the natural world and respecting its inherent rules.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Tahltan people
Dca’ndui was a celebrated hunter who killed and trapped all kinds of game. Once he went trapping marmots, but could not catch any because his traps were sprung. Although he watched, he could not find out what sprung them. He fasted three days, and then made his deadfalls heavier. Again he fasted three days, and this time he caught somebody by the hand. The man begged him to spare him, and told him that he would go to his camp with him and help him. Dca’ndui agreed; and the man, who was Wolverene, accompanied him. Wolverene told Dca’ndui to fast for three more days and to save all the urine. Dca’ndui wondered what he wanted to do with the urine, and watched through a hole in his blanket. When it was nearly daylight, he saw Wolverene get up and wash himself in the urine and then dry himself. That day they both set traps. Next day Wolverene had a marmot in each of his traps, while Dca’ndui had none.
► Continue reading…
Wolverene now told Dca’ndui that he must not eat the small bone at the back of the knees of marmots. He wondered why Wolverene had told him that, and one day he ate one. Then came a spell of rain, snow, wind, and bad weather. All the marmots staid in their holes, and they could not catch any. Wolverene charged Dca’ndui with having eaten the forbidden bone, but he denied it. Then Wolverene went and examined his excrement and found it. He said to Dca’ndui, “You lied about not eating the bone, but I found it.” He wrapped it in feathers and burned it, saying, “Tomorrow good weather will come.” After this they caught many marmots in their traps, and they soon had the camp full of meat.
When Dca’ndui was ready to go home. Wolverene said he would carry the meat for him. Dca’ndui made up a pack for Wolverene of about the same size and weight as he himself could carry. Wolverene said it was too light, so Dca’ndui added more to it. Wolverene said, “I can carry more;” so he added more. At last all the meat was in Wolverene’s pack, and he walked off with it as a man does with an ordinary load. When they arrived on the outskirts of the village. Wolverene put down his load and returned. He told Dca’ndui not to tell any one that he had helped him. When Dca’ndui arrived home, the people asked him what luck he had had. He answered, “Poor luck. I have a very small pack of meat. I left it some little distance away.” He told a man to go out and bring it in. The man could not move it, so he came back and told all the people to go and see it. They went out, and it took all of them to carry it in. They thought Dca’ndui must be a very strong man. This is why wolverenes can carry such heavy loads now, and also why the Indians never eat the small bones at the backs of marmots knees.
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 