E’dista is a colossal toad that once inhabited areas near streams and lakes, such as Chesley River. These toads would emerge from their burrows to devour unsuspecting people. In one tale, two hunters encountered E’dista; one escaped by rubbing urine on himself, while the other was consumed. The villagers later burned the toad to death, discovering its massive bones afterward.
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
Mythical Creatures: The story centers around E’dista, a gigantic toad, which is a mythical creature.
Conflict with Nature: The tale involves humans confronting a dangerous natural entity that threatens their safety.
Community and Isolation: The community unites to confront and eliminate the threat posed by E’dista, highlighting the strength of collective action.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Tahltan people
E’dista is the name of a gigantic toad said to have inhabited the country in mythological times. These toads lived near streams and lakes, and burrowed in the mud and earth. When any people came near, they ran out and devoured them.
Formerly gigantic toads lived in some parts of the country. There was one near Teslin Lake, another on the south fork of the Stikine River, and another on Chesley River. Once two (Tlingit or Taku) men were hunting on Chesley River. They camped near a hollow not far from where Big-Toad had his house. They saw a fire running around on the water and along the shore. They said to each other, “What is that?” and one of them proposed that they run away. They tried to run, but were unable to move. One man had presence of mind enough to urinate and to rub the urine over his head and body.
► Continue reading…
Then he became capable of moving, and managed to get away. Soon he saw something like a fire go to where his partner was standing spellbound, and devour him. He went back to a camp where many people lived, and told them of his escape and of his comrade’s death. They said that was E’dista. They went to Big-Toad’s house, and set fires in the woods all around it. Toad ran out to attack them, and was burned to death. After the fires were out, they went back to the place, and found a number of huge bones lying there. The shoulder-blades were as large as the floor of a small cabin [about twelve feet in diameter. Old Indians claim to have seen the bones, but say they are now rotten and covered up with earth and vegetation.] The place where this happened is about eleven miles below Chesley Post, above McDonald’s Portage.
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