In a Tlingit village, a boy mocked a sacred sea plant, leading to unending storms and famine. The villagers were trapped in wintry weather, unable to hunt or fish, and began to starve. One day, a bluejay flew over the village carrying a branch with fresh berries, signaling that fine weather and food were available elsewhere. Encouraged, some villagers braved the storm, found abundant resources, and survived. Since then, the Tlingit revere the bluejay as a deliverer.
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
Divine Punishment: The community faces relentless storms and famine as retribution for the boy’s disrespect toward the sacred sea plant.
Sacred Spaces: The sea plant’s location is considered holy, and interacting with it requires reverence, highlighting the significance of sacred places in nature.
Harmony with Nature: The tale underscores the importance of respecting natural elements and living in balance with the environment to ensure communal well-being.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Tahltan people
In the Tlingit country a large number of people were living together at one place near the seashore, A sea-plant which the Tlingit venerate grew abundantly near this place. People were forbidden to speak to it except in the most respectful manner; for it was considered a harbinger of spring, and, if it did not renew its growth, spring might not come. Children were forbidden to name it or to talk to it, especially in the spring-time. One day, when spring-time was near, the son of one of the wealthiest men in the village talked to this plant, and made fun of it, saying, “Don’t grow out! My father has plenty of food yet. We don’t care when spring comes.” After this it was continual stormy, wintry weather at this place. The people could not go hunting or fishing; and no one ventured very far away, because of the storms. They thought that the whole coast was suffering in the same way; for they could not see far, their village being enveloped in a cloud.
► Continue reading…
The people ran out of food, and were starving. The boy who had mocked the plant died; and all the people became very weak, so that they were unable to procure fire-wood. The people of other places saw a black cloud hanging over the village. They tried to go there, but were always beaten back by the storms. One day Bluejay flew over the village, carrying a branch with fresh berries. The people said, “Oh, what is it that Bluejay has in his beak? Berries must be ripe in some place.” Now, with great difficulty a few of the strongest people pushed through the storm zone. They found fine weather over the rest of the country, the salmon fishing was nearly over, and the berries were ripe. Thus Bluejay saved the lives of the people, who ever since have been grateful to him. The Tlingit reverence this bird because he acted as a deliverer.
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 