Giant Raven, continued
Spe-eth explained that the ravens of the Selawik sometimes gathered in flocks like a blackening storm when displeased or seeking vengeance for offences of the people.
“My eyes have seen a black flock of ravens, inspired by spells casts by the shaman, overtake and devour an old man exposed to die.”
Even during season's of famine, the shaman ordered sacrifices of elk, deer or salmon be offered to the sacred ravens by setting out rotting carcasses up on specially built platforms in trees that resembled mortuary houses. There were always large ravens lurking in the trees surrounding the village of Klauck and when uncle Spe-eth lived there the bird’s deep-voiced calls and constant presence troubled him and gave him bad dreams. In the Kaw-Seth tradition Raven is an evil bird, inspired by dark forces to bring ruin and heartache to all people.
“Raven’s black feathers and obsidian eyes shut out light like the grave. He flies from the depths of the underworld,” said Spe-eth while Half Moon slipped across smooth waters, drawing the hunters within sight of the totems of one of the villages on the shore now visible on the horizon between a thin line of trees that grew larger as they approached.
“Raven eats up the sun and bring eternal twilight. We Kaw-Seth know enough to stay far form that bird’s talons and vicious beak. But, when in Selawik territory on a hunt we must not offend their shaman. We need the directions of their elders to guide us to white bear grounds. Why remind them that our fathers teach us to despise their guardian spirits?”
Spe-eth looked troubled as if trying to remember a forgotten dream as he stared at the shoreline. His face was cracked like jerky dried in hot sun and his white hair and beard resembled the color of dry grass blowing on a lonely beach. He looked out past a trail of smoke that drifted from cook fires and hung over the waters that stretched between the braves and the village that they would soon learn was the Klauck of his manhood quest.
“And listen you young men, each of you, whether you are married, engaged or without a wife, you must watch out for the tricks of Raven in this place. He is a powerful tempter and wants to destroy our quest. The Selawik young women will come to you and take your hands and touch your necks and even their fathers and chiefs will offer you their daughters and wives for the evening. Do not join with them in bed and damage your soul. Follow the Kaw-Seth way. We must separate ourselves in order to obtain spirit power for the hunt.”
Spe-eth had the men stop paddling and let Half Moon drift while he unpacked a box containing a supply of bloodroot paint. Each brave painted their bodies in the tradition of the ancestors. Their faces were already painted as bear hunters.
“Remember what Snowy Owl taught you on the day of your coming to manhood. We are Kaw-Seth, the new people. This red paint is the blood of our new birth as members of the everlasting tribe. Remember that you are not your own, but are slaves of the Great Chief Above -- your only worthy master. As slaves of Wonderful Doer, you are the only free men who walk through this present darkness. He gives you sky power to move cunningly like warriors of light against a cloud of corrupting spirits that seek to do us woe.
"This red stain shows that you are born out of the world of water, land and wind," continued Spe-eth's familiar speech, "to hunt the far reaches of the highest place -- making you like dead men in this life. Alive in him, you are dead to deceitful desires and made fearless of the countless dangers that lurk in twilight. We Kaw-Seth long to see the coming of the true dawn when the tricks of Raven and his demons will melt like snow.”
Tokwish didn’t see the need to put his trust in the high ghosts and supernatural beings of legends. But he painted his body to show pride in his clan rather than fear of spirits. He remained silent after Spee-eth's speech. No need to bring up the old arguments over the necessity of learning the names of all one hundred and fifty-three fathers in the Kaw-seth line -- beginning with the first Snowy Owl. Instead of argument, he focused on the excitement of another bear hunt. He also wondered what the villages of the Selawik would be like and if the warnings about temptations were justified. He had heard that Selawik common-women and slaves sleep with young men as freely as taking a drink of water.
The braves neared the beach in front of some of the houses sitting on a high bank above a sand bar and a small group of women digging clams quickly gathered baskets and disappeared up steps toward the village. Half Moon was fitted with the bear crest piece on the prow to mark the canoe as a vessel of peace and Spe-eth’ weasel hat also signaled that the party was not hostile. The canoe stopped in shallow water and all of the men put their festive painted paddles up on end and waited silently to be welcomed ashore.
Soon villagers arrived and several strong braves waded out to help drag Half Moon ashore. They were surprised that Spe-eth spoke their dialect and soon laughed and joked when hearing that the visiting hunters were on a marriage test quest.
The flat head of one young brave immediately indicated that he was noble born, perhaps the son of a chief.
"We saw you approaching in the distance while out in the harbor fishing. We had just pulled up a big halibut and our women are preparing to bake it right now. We are happy to share a dinner with our honored guests from the far Kaw-Seth north islands -- who also happen to speak our language. You are in good fortune to come today. There is a gambling match planned between Badger House and Coyotee House tonight. You can join the singing and our father may invite you to play the winner if you dare. What did you bring to wager?" asked one of the strong braves helping to beach Half Moon.
"Is your father chief Soowahlee?" asked Spe-eth.
"No, but Soowahlee is my grandfather," said the young chief.
"I am Somkin, son of Tseycum of the Badger House. You know Grandfather Whirlwind?"
"When I was your age, he was my mentor at my coming of age quest so many moons long ago. Now my beard is white as his was then. Tell your father Tseycum that Red of the Kaw-Seth is back. And that nothing would please us more than to join the singing at the bone games tonight. In fact we brought enough blankets and abalone shells for many wagers. That is right and more. Red even packed a model totem -- carved this year by my nephew here -- that tells a sacred story of power which we are willing to wager. If we win, we seek to learn your hunting song for the white ghost bear. Our quest will be lost and this young man left without a woman if we do not bring back a white skin for the wedding feast," said Spe-eth.
"Why don't you just pick a weaker village to raid and steal a woman for yourself? That is what our men do when they are impatient. It is less trouble," said the young chief Somkin as the others laughed.
Tokwish noticed that the braves of the new village had wide grins and laughed easily and that so did the women who gathered in groups off to the side of the long house that they approached. Everyone seemed at ease and happy.
"This is not such a bad place," Tokwish thought to himself.
Spe-eth, too, seemed changed and walked like a youth as he looked up and down the beach and at the long houses.
"This is it. Klauck. A fine village with all of the impressive houses and totems that I remember. And more, new dwellings. This is Klauck -- where I received my name."
Continued
“My eyes have seen a black flock of ravens, inspired by spells casts by the shaman, overtake and devour an old man exposed to die.”
Even during season's of famine, the shaman ordered sacrifices of elk, deer or salmon be offered to the sacred ravens by setting out rotting carcasses up on specially built platforms in trees that resembled mortuary houses. There were always large ravens lurking in the trees surrounding the village of Klauck and when uncle Spe-eth lived there the bird’s deep-voiced calls and constant presence troubled him and gave him bad dreams. In the Kaw-Seth tradition Raven is an evil bird, inspired by dark forces to bring ruin and heartache to all people.
“Raven’s black feathers and obsidian eyes shut out light like the grave. He flies from the depths of the underworld,” said Spe-eth while Half Moon slipped across smooth waters, drawing the hunters within sight of the totems of one of the villages on the shore now visible on the horizon between a thin line of trees that grew larger as they approached.
“Raven eats up the sun and bring eternal twilight. We Kaw-Seth know enough to stay far form that bird’s talons and vicious beak. But, when in Selawik territory on a hunt we must not offend their shaman. We need the directions of their elders to guide us to white bear grounds. Why remind them that our fathers teach us to despise their guardian spirits?”
Spe-eth looked troubled as if trying to remember a forgotten dream as he stared at the shoreline. His face was cracked like jerky dried in hot sun and his white hair and beard resembled the color of dry grass blowing on a lonely beach. He looked out past a trail of smoke that drifted from cook fires and hung over the waters that stretched between the braves and the village that they would soon learn was the Klauck of his manhood quest.
“And listen you young men, each of you, whether you are married, engaged or without a wife, you must watch out for the tricks of Raven in this place. He is a powerful tempter and wants to destroy our quest. The Selawik young women will come to you and take your hands and touch your necks and even their fathers and chiefs will offer you their daughters and wives for the evening. Do not join with them in bed and damage your soul. Follow the Kaw-Seth way. We must separate ourselves in order to obtain spirit power for the hunt.”
Spe-eth had the men stop paddling and let Half Moon drift while he unpacked a box containing a supply of bloodroot paint. Each brave painted their bodies in the tradition of the ancestors. Their faces were already painted as bear hunters.
“Remember what Snowy Owl taught you on the day of your coming to manhood. We are Kaw-Seth, the new people. This red paint is the blood of our new birth as members of the everlasting tribe. Remember that you are not your own, but are slaves of the Great Chief Above -- your only worthy master. As slaves of Wonderful Doer, you are the only free men who walk through this present darkness. He gives you sky power to move cunningly like warriors of light against a cloud of corrupting spirits that seek to do us woe.
"This red stain shows that you are born out of the world of water, land and wind," continued Spe-eth's familiar speech, "to hunt the far reaches of the highest place -- making you like dead men in this life. Alive in him, you are dead to deceitful desires and made fearless of the countless dangers that lurk in twilight. We Kaw-Seth long to see the coming of the true dawn when the tricks of Raven and his demons will melt like snow.”
Tokwish didn’t see the need to put his trust in the high ghosts and supernatural beings of legends. But he painted his body to show pride in his clan rather than fear of spirits. He remained silent after Spee-eth's speech. No need to bring up the old arguments over the necessity of learning the names of all one hundred and fifty-three fathers in the Kaw-seth line -- beginning with the first Snowy Owl. Instead of argument, he focused on the excitement of another bear hunt. He also wondered what the villages of the Selawik would be like and if the warnings about temptations were justified. He had heard that Selawik common-women and slaves sleep with young men as freely as taking a drink of water.
The braves neared the beach in front of some of the houses sitting on a high bank above a sand bar and a small group of women digging clams quickly gathered baskets and disappeared up steps toward the village. Half Moon was fitted with the bear crest piece on the prow to mark the canoe as a vessel of peace and Spe-eth’ weasel hat also signaled that the party was not hostile. The canoe stopped in shallow water and all of the men put their festive painted paddles up on end and waited silently to be welcomed ashore.
Soon villagers arrived and several strong braves waded out to help drag Half Moon ashore. They were surprised that Spe-eth spoke their dialect and soon laughed and joked when hearing that the visiting hunters were on a marriage test quest.
The flat head of one young brave immediately indicated that he was noble born, perhaps the son of a chief.
"We saw you approaching in the distance while out in the harbor fishing. We had just pulled up a big halibut and our women are preparing to bake it right now. We are happy to share a dinner with our honored guests from the far Kaw-Seth north islands -- who also happen to speak our language. You are in good fortune to come today. There is a gambling match planned between Badger House and Coyotee House tonight. You can join the singing and our father may invite you to play the winner if you dare. What did you bring to wager?" asked one of the strong braves helping to beach Half Moon.
"Is your father chief Soowahlee?" asked Spe-eth.
"No, but Soowahlee is my grandfather," said the young chief.
"I am Somkin, son of Tseycum of the Badger House. You know Grandfather Whirlwind?"
"When I was your age, he was my mentor at my coming of age quest so many moons long ago. Now my beard is white as his was then. Tell your father Tseycum that Red of the Kaw-Seth is back. And that nothing would please us more than to join the singing at the bone games tonight. In fact we brought enough blankets and abalone shells for many wagers. That is right and more. Red even packed a model totem -- carved this year by my nephew here -- that tells a sacred story of power which we are willing to wager. If we win, we seek to learn your hunting song for the white ghost bear. Our quest will be lost and this young man left without a woman if we do not bring back a white skin for the wedding feast," said Spe-eth.
"Why don't you just pick a weaker village to raid and steal a woman for yourself? That is what our men do when they are impatient. It is less trouble," said the young chief Somkin as the others laughed.
Tokwish noticed that the braves of the new village had wide grins and laughed easily and that so did the women who gathered in groups off to the side of the long house that they approached. Everyone seemed at ease and happy.
"This is not such a bad place," Tokwish thought to himself.
Spe-eth, too, seemed changed and walked like a youth as he looked up and down the beach and at the long houses.
"This is it. Klauck. A fine village with all of the impressive houses and totems that I remember. And more, new dwellings. This is Klauck -- where I received my name."
Continued
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