Tuktu- 9- The Magic Spear (Amazing Inuit skills at fishing and hunting by spear)

I want to tell you a story of the old days when people were different from now my father and all his brothers were great hunters when I was small I wanted to grow up quickly and be like them I wanted to catch the biggest fish and shoot the biggest caribou but small hunters must learn to do these things and I learned from my father when a hunter caught more fish than we could eat a hiding place was made here the fish was stored for winter use when the snows came my uncle would harness the dogs and journey to his storehouse how the dogs would strain at the harness and how my uncle would shout at them but at last the hiding place was reached and the dogs rested the hunters used to catch fish in the autumn and hide them beneath stones the air was cold the fish would freeze waiting for the hungry months of the long night [Music] foxes and bears would try to steal our fish if the hiding place was not well made those cunning robbers would fill their bellies with our food many years ago a bear robbed my father of his store of winter fish he robbed us for three winters and we were starving then one day my father discovered the bear robbing the storehouse he was so angry that he drew his sharp hunting knife rushing forward he slipped the bear up the belly and killed it in the old way shooting was too good for that bear said my father [Music] you [Music] we Eskimos caught lake trout with baited hook deep holes were cut through snow and ice on the frozen lake the fish were often kind to us and satisfied our hunger little fish I call to you hear me in your watery home my wife is hungry and my children are crying little fish I thank you you heard the cries of my children you took pity on their empty bellies little fish I thank you a hunter must provide for his wife and children he must also provide for his dogs because of this historic issues quickly eaten he must continue to catch fish even in the winter one day my father said duck - you must come with us and learn how the fish are caught we will show you how to dig a hole in the sea ice the great arctic char live beneath the sea with the sea goddess come with us and we will show you [Music] we'll the whole lead to the sea goddess I asked sea goddess has a powerful magic she might turn me into a fish do not be afraid Turtles and my father the sea goddess will be friendly she will be generous with her gift today I feel that our Spears are lucky [Music] the fact char do not bite on a hook but they are filled with curiosity and come to see the little ivory fish as it jiggles at the end of the line I waited patiently when my father saw a fish he plunged the spear like lightning [Music] [Applause] the Sun comes back and warms the land the ice melts and the birds look for nesting places my father and his friend the kayak build a were busy on the shore I wanted to help my father build the kayak instead he told me to look for fish cut the big you have sharp eyes stuck to he said if the fish are there you will see them I saw their dark shapes beneath the waves and told my father then he took his spear and I watched him walk quietly down to the shore you must stay very still tuck - he said the fish will take warning from your shadow they can hear a small pebble and see the wind make ripples on the water [Music] but as I watched my father I longed to be with him to walk in his footsteps and use the magic spear [Music] I know [Music] do not forgive online if you love me do not talk while the great fish wait for your spear if you love me do not sleep while the great fish leap at the Sun if you love me cure my hunger bring me a gift from the depths of the sea [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Hey [Music] and it [Music] the fishing was over the sea goddess had been kind to my father I watched him as he picked up the catch and marveled at their size we shall have a feast very soon I thought and ran ahead to tell my mother [Music] soon my father returned to camp heavy laden with fish he was well pleased but not boastful my father and the kayak builder were given the tenderest parts of the fish you did well said the kayak man alicia's is the red meat of the arctic char my father was pleased and said I am not much good only my spear is clever give a tuck to the eyes of the child that he may grow up and see below the deepest water I wanted to grow up to be a great hunter and fisherman like my father you must be patient did the talk - he said the lake and the sea will wait for you one day you will bring your own children a gift a gift from the depths of the sea and that is the way we used to live [Music] [Applause] [Music]

Channel: Alaska Extreme

Views: 5,767,453

Rating: 4.5987811 out of 5

Keywords: tuktu, eskimo, eskimo culture, inuit culture, inupiaq culture, eskimo joes, eskimo pie, native pride, indigenous, homesteading, hunters and gatherers, native americans, alaska history, canadian history, native canadians, yupik culture, native american history, spear fishing, a tribe called red, pumyua, supaman, best spear fishing, awesome spear fishing, spear fishing skills, spearfishing

Id: _sdJA1M0XcQ

Length: 14min 13sec (853 seconds)

Published: Wed Oct 25 2017