A woman named Alekakukiak

Alekakukiak, allied to enemies through marriage, learned from a kind old woman that her brothers-in-law planned to kill her. She fled inland, bravely confronting a bear and an amarok by cracking her hood string like a whip to subdue them. Eventually, she reached the sea and reunited with her relatives, demonstrating resilience and ingenuity in her escape.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: Alekakukiak’s resourcefulness is evident when she uses her hood string, cracking it like a whip to intimidate a bear and an amarok, allowing her to continue her escape.

Conflict with Authority: Facing a threat from her brothers-in-law, Alekakukiak challenges their authority by fleeing and surviving against the odds, ultimately seeking refuge with her own relatives.

Trials and Tribulations: Throughout her journey, Alekakukiak confronts multiple challenges, including dangerous animals and the harsh environment, demonstrating resilience and determination to overcome adversity.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Abridged version of the story.

A woman named Alekakukiak had been allied to her enemies by the bands of marriage. A poor old wife, to whom she had shown much kindness, once informed her of her brothers-in-law intending to kill her. On hearing this she fled to the inland, where she first met with a bear.

Having no sort of weapon whatever, she took a string from her hood, and cracking it like a whip in the front of the animal, she made it fall to the ground.

She proceeded in the same manner with an amarok, and at length she reached the sea on the other side, and came to her relatives.

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A tale from East Greenland

Two cousins shared a bond, but envy consumed one when the other excelled in milestones like marriage, fatherhood, and hunting. Driven by resentment, he moved away and trained a vicious dog to kill travelers by feeding it food touched by human bones. However, the cousin and his son bravely confronted the beast and ultimately killed it together.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Family Dynamics: The story centers on two cousins whose relationship is strained by envy and competition, highlighting complex familial relationships.

Cunning and Deception: One cousin’s deceitful act of training a dog to attack travelers using human bones exemplifies the use of cunning and deceit to achieve malicious goals.

Revenge and Justice: The narrative concludes with the targeted cousin and his son confronting and killing the dangerous dog, serving as retribution and the restoration of justice.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Abridged version of the story.

Two cousins loved each other, but one of them having a passion for outdoing other people, grew irritated at seeing the other not only getting first married, but also having the first son, and that one catching seals before his own son had got a bird.

He then removed to another place, and his son trained a dog to tear men to pieces, by feeding it with food that had been in contact with human bones.

It had already devoured several travellers when the cousin and his son came and attacked the dangerous animal, and killed it between them.

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Saugak

Saugak arrived at a house so vast it could wear out a man’s boots. The master, with many daughters and abundant provisions, served Saugak meat and forced him to eat beyond satiety, threatening him with a knife. When Saugak stopped twinkling his eyes, indicating he could no longer eat, they presented him with dried human flesh, revealing the sinister nature of his host.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Supernatural Beings:– The host’s sinister behavior and the presentation of dried human flesh suggest an encounter with a being beyond the ordinary, possibly with malevolent supernatural traits.

Cunning and Deception: The host deceives Saugak by initially offering hospitality, only to reveal a more sinister intent, forcing him into a perilous situation.

Conflict with Authority: Saugak faces an oppressive figure who imposes his will through threats and coercion, highlighting a struggle against unjust authority.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Abridged version of the story.

Saugak came to a house of such length that a man could wear out the soles of his boots wandering from one end to the other. The master of the house had a crowd of daughters, and an immense stock of provisions. He ordered meat to be served up for Saugak, and forced him to eat.

When Saugak declared that he was satiated, his host went on to point his knife at his eyes, saying that as long as he could twinkle them he could also eat.

When he finally left off twinkling they served up dried human flesh before him.

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An old bachelor

An old bachelor, pressured to marry, sought a wife from a neighboring hamlet but was refused the only sister of a family there. Returning home, he abandoned the idea of marriage. Later, while quenching his thirst from a rock in his kayak, his mouth became stuck as the tide receded, leaving him trapped until the next tide released him.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Family Dynamics: The story explores societal pressures on the bachelor to marry and the familial bonds that lead the neighboring family to refuse his marriage proposal, highlighting the complexities of family relationships.

Cunning and Deception: The tale subtly critiques the bachelor’s selective approach to marriage and his eventual entrapment, suggesting a moral lesson about the consequences of one’s choices and actions.

Moral Lessons: The bachelor’s predicament serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing themes of humility and the potential pitfalls of pride or stubbornness.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Abridged version of the story.

An old bachelor, being a very successful hunter, was always worried by his place-fellows about taking to himself a wife. At last he consented; but when about to make a choice, none of the women at the place appeared good enough for him. Starting in his boat for the neighbouring hamlet, he declared he was going to fetch the only sister of some men living there. On his way thither he met with another kayaker, and addressed him, “Art not thou one of the many brothers?” “Yes, I am the middle one of them.” “I come to demand thy only sister in marriage, and if I may have her I will give thee my boat and a new tent.” “We will allow no one to get her, because she is the only woman in our house.” Having got this information the old bachelor instantly made about, went home, and gave up all thoughts of marrying.

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Being once in his kayak, and suffering from thirst, he observed a small stream of water running down a rock. Remaining in his kayak, he merely turned his face upwards, so as to let the water run into his open mouth. When his thirst had been quenched, and he wanted to push off, his mouth clung to the rock, being at the same time gradually prolonged, because the tide was falling; and thus he had to remain hanging until the next tide should float him off again.

A number of stories are found ridiculing bachelors, and all more or less trifling, like this one. Generally their passions are represented as being excited at the sight of a fine woman; but on approaching her, and perhaps even getting hold of her, she proves to be a gull, or perhaps a stone. Others will marry none but a dwarf, or a woman without breasts. One of them out of a piece of ice makes a little island to live upon by himself.

The removal of Disco Island

A Greenlandic legend tells of two old men, Nevingasilernak and Nivfigfarsuk, who magically moved an island that blocked access to the sea. Opposed by Kiviaritajak, they used a child’s hair and chants to tow the island northward, despite his sealskin thong breaking. The island, now Disco Island, left an elevated seabed in its path as it was relocated near Ilulissat.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Supernatural Beings: The protagonists employ magical means to move the island, indicating interactions with supernatural forces.

Conflict with Nature: The narrative centers on altering the natural landscape to improve access to the sea, highlighting a struggle against natural obstacles.

Cunning and Deception: The use of a child’s hair and chants to secretly move the island demonstrates cleverness and strategic planning to achieve their goal.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Abridged version of the story.

Off the southernmost part of Greenland an island was situated which some of the inhabitants of the mainland took a dislike to, because it cut them off from the open sea. Two old men got the idea of removing it by some magic lay. Their names were Nevingasilernak and Nivfigfarsuk; but another oldster, called Kiviaritajak, rather inclined to retain the island. The first two went in their kayaks to fasten a hair from the head of a little child to the outside, while the last from shore tried to keep it back by means of a thong of sealskin made fast to it. The two old kayakers then pushed off, chanting their spells and tugging the hair. At length the thong burst, and the island got afloat; and continually singing, they pulled away to the north, and placed it in front of Ilulissat. It is now Disco Island. The translation caused the bottom of the sea to rise all along where they travelled.

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The help from Ingnersuit

An old man befriended an ingnersuak, who promised to provide for him whenever needed. This secret pact brought the man a comfortable life, as the ingnersuak always supplied food. However, when the man hinted to others about the source of his fortune, the ingnersuak withdrew its support, leaving him to fend for himself.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Supernatural Beings: The ingnersuak is a supernatural entity that directly influences the man’s life by providing sustenance, highlighting interactions between humans and otherworldly beings.

Cunning and Deception: The man’s decision to reveal the secret of his fortune, despite the implicit need for discretion, reflects themes of cunning and the consequences of deceit or indiscretion.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson about the importance of keeping one’s promises and the repercussions of betraying confidences, emphasizing the value of discretion and trustworthiness.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Abridged version of the story.

An old man once met with an ingnersuak, who invited him to his house, and told him that he had watched in order to have some talk with him that no one else might hear. He wanted to let him know that, if ever he was in want, he only had to apply to him for help — the ingnersuak would at any time provide him with food.

The old man from this time had a comfortable life, always supplied with what he required. But at last he began to hint at the source of his riches to other people, and henceforth the ingnersuak declined to assist him further.

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The gifts from the under-world

An envious old bachelor sought his mother’s advice to improve his luck in hunting and love. She guided him to a stone concealing a path to the underworld, where he obtained a magical piece of whale-skin that boosted his fortune. Sharing misleading instructions with a rival, the rival’s luck soured instead. When the old man returned for more, he was unable to move the stone again.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Underworld Journey: The protagonist descends into the underworld, seeking supernatural aid to improve his fortunes.

Cunning and Deception: He deceives a rival by providing false information, leading to the rival’s misfortune.

Divine Punishment: Upon attempting to revisit the underworld for additional benefits, he finds himself unable to move the stone, suggesting a supernatural force preventing his greed, thereby serving as a form of punishment for his deceit.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Abridged version of the story.

An old bachelor, feeling envious of a younger one because of his better luck in hunting and his finding more favour with women, applied to his mother for counsel and aid.

She pointed out to him a certain spot where he would find a large stone, and moving it aside, an opening would appear leading straight to the under-world, where he would come to a lake; and on seeing two boats, he was to let the first one pass, but was to apply to the second.

Acting upon her advice, he received a piece of matak (whale-skin) from the second boat, by eating which he acquired astonishing good-luck in hunting.

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The young man, noticing this change of fortune, questioned him as to the cause of his recent success, when he imparted to him the information he had gained from his mother, only substituting the first boat for the second. The young man in this way also got a piece of matak, by eating which he only secured the worst luck in his hunting. Meanwhile the old man had consumed his piece, and went to fetch more; but when he came to the spot the second time, he found himself quite unable to move the stone.

A married couple remained childless on account of their both being angakok

A kayaking couple discovers a dying young man in a foreign place. An angakok summons the witch responsible for his illness, confronting her ghost and wounding her with a harpoon. The witch is revealed to be the youth’s aunt, who dies simultaneously. While dining, the couple envies the household’s children, only to learn they are named after men lost to monster-gulls, silencing the gathering.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Supernatural Beings: The story involves angakok (shamans) and a witch, highlighting interactions with supernatural entities.

Cunning and Deception: The witch secretly causes the young man’s illness, embodying deceitful actions that harm others.

Family Dynamics: The revelation that the witch is the young man’s aunt introduces complex familial relationships and hidden malice within a family.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Abridged version of the story.

The husband and wife always used to go out kayaking together. Once they happened to come to a foreign place, where a young man was found in an almost dying state.

The angakok-man began a conjuration, summoning the witch who had caused his sickness. He detected the ghost of the witch approaching the sick youth in order to touch him with her black hands.

But the angakok thrust his harpoon at her, hitting her heel; and almost at the same moment the aunt of the sick youth died in the next house, and proved to have been the witch.

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While spending the rest of the evening there, eating and talking in a pleasant way, the visitors noticed the children playing on the floor; and thinking of their own childless state burst out, “That crowd of boys might almost make people envious.” They were answered, “The boys yonder are the namesakes of those whom the monster-gulls carried off as food for their young ones” (viz., who perished in kayaks); whereupon the whole assembly at once became silent.

The woman who wanted to be a man

Arnarkuak, a woman relentless in scolding her son for his lack of hunting skill, forced her daughter-in-law, Ukuamak, to flee with her under threat of death. Disguising herself as a man, Arnarkuak took Ukuamak as her wife in the interior. However, her son eventually discovered their refuge and killed his contemptible mother in retaliation.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Transformation: Arnarkuak disguises herself as a man, embodying a physical and social transformation to assume a male role.

Family Dynamics: The narrative centers on the strained relationship between Arnarkuak and her son, highlighting familial conflicts and their consequences.

Cunning and Deception: Arnarkuak’s deceit in disguising herself and coercing her daughter-in-law into a false marital relationship underscores themes of manipulation and deceit.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

For this tale, only the principal parts have been selected, and are given here in a very fragmentary form.

A woman named Arnarkuak would not give up scolding her son on account of his want of skill in hunting and other manly pursuits.

Once in his absence, when he had gone out kayaking, she forced her daughter-in-law, by threatening her with death, to flee with her to the interior of the country, where she disguised herself like a man, and had her daughter-in-law, Ukuamak, for a wife.

But the son found out their place of refuge, and killed his despicable mother.

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Sangiak, or Nerngajorak

A childless couple followed the advice of a wise man, using a mystical worm to conceive a son named Sangiak. Gifted in hunting, Sangiak could capture entire seal flocks with one harpoon throw. His skill bred envy, leading him to murder a rival hunter. Despite facing revenge, Sangiak escaped using ingenuity and resilience, repairing his sabotaged kayak and returning to his father unharmed.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Creation: The story begins with a childless couple who, following the guidance of a wise man, conceive a son through mystical means involving a worm.

Transformation: Sangiak’s exceptional hunting abilities, such as capturing entire flocks of seals with a single harpoon throw, highlight his extraordinary transformation from a mystical birth to a prodigious hunter.

Cunning and Deception: After committing murder out of envy, Sangiak evades retribution by cleverly repairing his sabotaged kayak, demonstrating his resourcefulness and deceit.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

For this tale, only the principal parts have been selected, and are given here in a very fragmentary form.

A man whose wife could beget no children was advised by an old wise man to set off in his kayak, and go out to the open sea, and when he heard a voice like that of a child crying, he was to proceed in that direction, and would then find a worm, which he was to take home and throw upon the body of his wife. Having done it, the worm disappeared in the body of his wife, who soon gave birth to a son, whom they called Sangiak. While he was yet a small child, he asked his father for a kayak; and when following his father out to sea, he surprised him by hitting two seals, though he only threw his harpoon once. He acquired the art of always taking the whole flock of seals by only throwing at one of them. At last his father hardly knew how to bring home all the seals he captured.

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Once Sangiak happened to get acquainted with another seal-hunter, who could also take two seals at a time, but only by means of two harpoons, which he threw one with each hand at once. This double-armed kayaker being much beloved by his companions, Sangiak grew envious of him; and once when he went out alone with him to sea, he picked a quarrel with him, and killed him. He then told his father what had happened, and that he would give the relatives of the double-armed notice of the murder. The relatives would fain have avenged it; but he took flight in his kayak, which, though his enemies had cut holes in its bottom, did not sink. Having filled his kayak with stones, he stopped the holes with them, and returned to his father safe and sound.