Shamans and Kushtakas: North Coast Tales of the Supernatural
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Book Overview
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.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0882404067
ISBN13:9780882404066
Release Date:June 2003
Publisher:Alaska Northwest Books
Length:128 Pages
Weight:0.45 lbs.
Dimensions:0.4" x 8.8" x 5.9"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
My arms have fur on them!!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
This book is great! I love those old stories, and like to tell them to my friends. There are many things to be learned from these tales. Next time you are lost in the woods, this would be a good book to have with you ... give it a go, eh?
Awsome book on Alaskan Indian Mythology
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This book is awsome! Beck does a wonderful job retelling the legends of Tlingit and Haida mythology. This book is excellent if you want/need to learn about the old Indian tales of southeast Alaska. I'd also highly recommend Beck's other book "Hero's & Heroines in Tlingit-Haida Legend"
Good source of hard-to-find legends
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Mary Giraudo Beck did an admirable job of gathering information that has not been readily available to readers for several decades. The Tlingit and Haida cultures are quite fascinating, and their Kushtaka (and some other) legends are very well elaborated here. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Northwest Coast cultures, or in the relation of wildlife to native peoples. It is a very engaging, yet quite easy read, that nevertheless loads the reader with solid research.
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