Bibliography: The notes are on the Eskimo Folk Tales unit. Story source: Eskimo Folk-Tales by Knud Rasmussen with illustrations by native Eskimo artists (1921).
One story I enjoyed from this section of reading was called "The Wife Who Lied." It starts in a startling and attention-grabbing manner: "NAVARÁNÂPALUK, men say, came of a tribe of man-eaters, but when she grew up, she was taken to wife by one of a tribe that did not eat men." Wow, what a way to introduce a character! This origin story here is pretty intense and definitely intriguing. Then she proceeds to start a inter-tribal war for unclear motives. Characters who do dark things for vague reasons always add an interesting wrinkle to a story. As the tale progresses, there enters "one old woman among them" who "had a strange dream." Prophetic characters can be fun additions to stories, I may look at adding one into one of my upcoming stories. Navaránâpaluk is murdered by men from the opposing tribe for lying. This was quite an adventure for such a short story, only around 500 words. I hope to work on packing in action like this into my short tales.
Another story I enjoyed was about a man named "ÂTÂRSSUAQ." The story, like the last one I took notes on, starts in a compelling way: "ÂTÂRSSUAQ had many enemies. But his many enemies tried in vain to hurt him, and they could not kill him." Introducing characters can be difficult, but the Inuit/Eskimo authors have done a great job in these folktales. This description creates in my mind an image of a brave, strong warrior who has done things to generate some animosity towards himself.
One final introductory characterization that I thought was especially effective came in the story of "Tungujuluk and Saunikoq." This story begins strongly: "TUNGUJULUK and Saunikoq were men from one village. And both were wizards. When they heard a spirit calling, one would change into a bear, and the other into a walrus." These attributes are unique and help bring the reader into the story quickly. Wizards who can shape-shift are always fascinating characters.
I enjoyed these Inuit/Eskimo folktales, especially the characterizations found at the beginning of many of these stories!
From Source: "'Eskimo family and their igloo from Labrador, Seattle, A.Y.P.E.' Photograph shows two Inuit
couples and two children, outside fake igloo at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition."
Source: Wikimedia
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