Shamans and Kushtakas : North Coast Tales of the Supernatural

Shaman and Kushtaka, both struck terror in the hearts of the Tlingit and Haida, for both possessed frightening supernatural powers. Among the Natives of the Pacific Northwest Coast, the shaman was honored as a person who could heal the body and spirit as well as see into the future. In his struggles to protect his people, he fought the kushtaka—an evil spirit-being who was half human and half land hotter—for the souls of dying persons. Theirs was a battle between the forces of good and evil, and today it remains a cornerstone in Tlingit and Haida mythology. Mary Giraudo Beck provides a powerful mix of history, legend, and adventure to dramatize the values and traditions of Tlingit and Haida societies. The heroic and wondrous incidents in these stories transcend time and culture and, as tales of myth and magic, provide compelling reading for young and old alike. |Shaman and Kushtaka, both struck terror in the hearts of the Tlingit and Haida, for both possessed frightening supernatural powers. Among the Natives of the Pacific Northwest Coast, the shaman was honored as a person who could heal the body and spirit as well as see into the future. In his struggles to protect his people, he fought the kushtaka an evil spirit being who was half human and half land hotter for the souls of dying persons. Theirs was a battle between the forces of good and evil, and today it remains a cornerstone in Tlingit and Haida mythology. Mary Giraudo Beck provides a powerful mix of history, legend, and adventure to dramatize the values and traditions of Tlingit and Haida societies. The heroic and wondrous incidents in these stories transcend time and culture and, as tales of myth and magic, provide compelling reading for young and old alike. The Tlingit and Haida are Native Americans who inhabit southeast Alaska and share many traditions and stories. Written by a non-native scholar, this book contains nine Tlingit and Haida tales concerned with shamans and kushtakas. Land otters were fearful hybrid beings of the spirit world. Able to live on land and in water, they had the special mission of saving persons lost at sea or in the woods and transforming them into kushtakas, creatures similar to themselves but who retained some human qualities. Land otters and kushtakas were suspected of kidnapping or actively luring people to their kingdom. The shaman mediated between the spirit world and the human realm and was a figure of great power who inherited or was "called" to his role. The shaman's extraordinary powers made him the proper adversary for the kushtaka, and the shaman was often called upon to struggle with the kushtakas for a person's spirit. The tales dramatize the values and traditions of Tlingit and Haida societies and provide models for emulation and examples of the individual and social consequences of improper or irreverent behavior. Many characters undertake some form of classic journey, beset by dangers, challenges, and sacrifices for personal or communal benefit. A preface and introduction discuss Tlingit and Haida culture. This book contains illustrations created by a Native artist. (SV)

Shaman and Kushtaka, both struck terror in the hearts of the Tlingit and Haida, for both possessed frightening supernatural powers. Among the Natives of the Pacific Northwest Coast, the shaman was honored as a person who could heal the body and spirit as well as see into the future.  In his struggles to protect his people, he fought the kushtaka--an evil spirit-being who was half human and half land hotter--for the souls of dying persons. Theirs was a battle between the forces of good and evil, and today it remains a cornerstone in Tlingit and Haida mythology.  Mary Giraudo Beck provides a powerful mix of history, legend, and adventure to dramatize the values and traditions of Tlingit and Haida societies. The heroic and wondrous incidents in these stories transcend time and culture and, as tales of myth and magic, provide compelling reading for young and old alike.

Mix of history, legend, and adventure to dramatize the values and traditions of Tlingit and Haida societies. The shaman, honored as a healer and one who could see into the future fought the kustaka, an evil spirit (half human and half land otter) for the souls of dying persons. THE venerated Kaka was the first person to confront the dreaded land otter and gain its powerful spirit.