Kushtaka
Encyclopedia
Kushtaka are mythical creatures found in the stories of the Tlingit and Tsimshian
Indians of Southeastern Alaska
. Loosely translated, kushtaka means, "land otter man".
They are similar to the Nat'ina of the Dan'aina Indians of South Central Alaska, and the Urayuli
of the Eskimos in Northern Alaska.
Physically, kushtaka are shape-shifter
s capable of assuming either human form or the form of an otter
. In some accounts, a kushtaka is able to assume the form of any species of otter; in others, only one. Accounts of their behaviour seem to conflict with one another. In some stories, kushtaka are cruel creatures who take delight in tricking poor Tlingit sailors to their deaths. In others, they are friendly and helpful, frequently saving the lost from death by freezing. In many stories, the kushtaka save the lost individual by distracting them with curiously otter-like illusion
s of their family and friends as they transform their subject into a fellow kushtaka, thus allowing him to survive in the cold. Naturally, this is counted a mixed blessing. However, kushtaka legends are not always pleasant. In some legends it is said the kushtaka will imitate the cries of a baby or the screams of a woman to lure victims to the river
. Once there, the kushtaka either kills the person and tears them to shreds or will turn them into another kushtaka.
Legends have it kushtaka can be warded off through copper, urine, and in some stories fire.
Since the kushtaka mainly preys on small children, it has been thought by some that it was used by Tlingit mothers to keep their children from wandering close to the ocean
by themselves.
It is also said that the kushtaka emit a high pitched, three part whistle in the pattern of low-high-low.
's "Legends in Wood, Stories of the Totems" in the legend 'War with the Land Otter Men', as well as Pamela Rae Huteson
's "Transformation Masks" with the 'Kushtaka Den'; and Garth Stein
's "Raven Stole the Moon". Harry D. Colp describes a miner's encounter with the kushtaka, published as "The Strangest Story Ever Told."http://www.bigfootencounters.com/stories/harrycolp.htm
Tsimshian
The Tsimshian are an indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Tsimshian translates to Inside the Skeena River. Their communities are in British Columbia and Alaska, around Terrace and Prince Rupert and the southernmost corner of Alaska on Annette Island. There are approximately 10,000...
Indians of Southeastern Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. Loosely translated, kushtaka means, "land otter man".
They are similar to the Nat'ina of the Dan'aina Indians of South Central Alaska, and the Urayuli
Urayuli
Urayuli, or "Hairy Men", are a mythical race of creatures that live in the woodland areas of southwestern Alaska. Stories of the Urayuli describe them as standing 10 feet tall with long shaggy fur and luminescent eyes. They are said to emit a high pitch cry, resembling that of a loon...
of the Eskimos in Northern Alaska.
Physically, kushtaka are shape-shifter
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
s capable of assuming either human form or the form of an otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
. In some accounts, a kushtaka is able to assume the form of any species of otter; in others, only one. Accounts of their behaviour seem to conflict with one another. In some stories, kushtaka are cruel creatures who take delight in tricking poor Tlingit sailors to their deaths. In others, they are friendly and helpful, frequently saving the lost from death by freezing. In many stories, the kushtaka save the lost individual by distracting them with curiously otter-like illusion
Illusion
An illusion is a distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. While illusions distort reality, they are generally shared by most people....
s of their family and friends as they transform their subject into a fellow kushtaka, thus allowing him to survive in the cold. Naturally, this is counted a mixed blessing. However, kushtaka legends are not always pleasant. In some legends it is said the kushtaka will imitate the cries of a baby or the screams of a woman to lure victims to the river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
. Once there, the kushtaka either kills the person and tears them to shreds or will turn them into another kushtaka.
Legends have it kushtaka can be warded off through copper, urine, and in some stories fire.
Since the kushtaka mainly preys on small children, it has been thought by some that it was used by Tlingit mothers to keep their children from wandering close to the ocean
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
by themselves.
It is also said that the kushtaka emit a high pitched, three part whistle in the pattern of low-high-low.
Kushtaka in modern literature
Kushtaka's appear in Pamela Rae HutesonPamela Rae Huteson
Pamela Rae Huteson is an Alaska Native author and illustrator, from Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. She is both Tlingit and Haida, of the Shungkweidi Eagle moiety, from the Wolf House....
's "Legends in Wood, Stories of the Totems" in the legend 'War with the Land Otter Men', as well as Pamela Rae Huteson
Pamela Rae Huteson
Pamela Rae Huteson is an Alaska Native author and illustrator, from Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. She is both Tlingit and Haida, of the Shungkweidi Eagle moiety, from the Wolf House....
's "Transformation Masks" with the 'Kushtaka Den'; and Garth Stein
Garth Stein
Garth Stein is an American author and film producer from Seattle, Washington.-Career:Stein earned a B.A. in 1987 from Columbia College of Columbia University and later received a Master of Fine Arts degree in film from the University's School of the Arts. Subsequently, Stein worked as a director,...
's "Raven Stole the Moon". Harry D. Colp describes a miner's encounter with the kushtaka, published as "The Strangest Story Ever Told."http://www.bigfootencounters.com/stories/harrycolp.htm