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YASHPEH
International Folktales Collection

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Story No. 1825


Ordlavarsuk

Book Name:

Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo

Tradition: Inuit, Eskimo

Ordlavarsuk despised the angakut, and never used to attend their conjurations. But once spending an evening at another place, in a house where an angakok went on performing his art, he became so fond of the women's song, that suddenly he took a fancy to become an angakok himself. Imitating the angakut's fashion, he betook himself to lonely places, and called for a tornak. At length a giant-like man appeared, armed with a long staff, with which he would touch him. But Ordlavarsuk got terrified, and turning round to the beach walked through some shallow water to an island, whither the demon was unable to follow him. The tornak having in vain offered himself to his disposal, turned back and disappeared. Ordlavarsuk then repenting his foolishness, called out for him again, but received no answer, and never more succeeded in calling forth a tornak.

Comments:

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

Abstract:

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