by Sue Harrison
As with all my novels, in Call Down the Stars, legends play a large part in determining my storyline. Readers familiar with the mythology of northern peoples will recognize Daughter’s story as a gentler version of the widespread and well-known Sedna legends. In the original, the daughter loses more than a toe, and for less pressing reasons than starvation.
A few other comments, mostly for clarification: I am aware that the tundra and northern boreal forests are not as plentiful in game as more temperate regions in North America, but when Chakliux’s people comment on the blessings of their game-filled land, the reader must realize that those ancient hunter-gatherers had not experienced life in other areas, where a greater number and variety of plants and animals abound.
Anthropologists and population experts have noticed that after a devastating war, a disproportionate number of male babies are born in the ensuing years. Not being an expert in this area, I’ll take their word for it, and rather than try to explain it, include the phenomenon as fact in my novels.
It was my pleasure in the late 1980s and early 1990s to teach creative and advanced creative writing at Lake Superior State University, a small school on the eastern shore of Michigan’s northern peninsula. I’m sure my students taught me more about writing than I was able to teach them, and in this novel much of what I learned is revealed through the conversations, successes, and failures experienced by the young storyteller Yikaas. For example, in Chapter Thirty, Yikaas unwisely continues his tale beyond its natural conclusion, and thus dilutes the power of the denouement. I purposely include this and various other storytelling weaknesses or errors to highlight the growth process that every storyteller experiences. It is a continual struggle. Perfection is impossible. What joy! What frustration!
Among Athabascan peoples, and indeed, within all Native American cultures I have studied, names are considered sacred and carry spiritual significance. Thus, when Red Leaf agrees to name her daughter Daes, she has committed an immense betrayal that will place her daughter in spiritual danger.
One last note, and this is for those readers, so close to my heart, who celebrate the etymology of words. In Chapter Twelve, when K’os tries to get Cries-loud to take the name Tigangiyaanen (expert hunter or warrior), she is tempting him to step beyond his rights as a young hunter to boast of a prowess he does not yet possess. She also seeks to control him by elevating herself to the position of name-giver. The root of this Ahtna Athabascan word is yaa, which has multiple meanings, but in this context refers to growing into maturity. Within the word tigangiyaanen, the root yaa most likely originated from another root, yae, in which growth means the healing of a wound. If Cries-loud assumes the name, then he is also recognizing K’os’s worth as a healer. Thus, in tempting Cries-loud with the name Tigangiyaanen, K’os is seeking to increase her own power and status by compromising Cries-loud’s integrity.
Glossary of Native American Words
AA, AAA (Aleut, Athabascan) Interjection used to express surprise: “Oh!” (The double or triple a carries a long a sound.)
ANGAX (Aleut) Power. Anga is the root used in the Aleut word for elder brother. (The a’s are short; because it falls before the letter n, the first a takes on more of a short e sound. The Aleut n is quite nasal; the g is a voiced velar fricative, quite guttural; and the final x is a voiceless velar fricative.)
AQAMDAX (Aleut) Cloudberry, Rubus chamaemorus. (See Pharmacognosia.) (The a’s are short. The Aleut q is like a harsh English k, the m like an English m, and d much like the English th. The Aleut x is a voiceless velar fricative.)
BABICHE (English—probably anglicized from the Cree word assababish, a diminutive of assabab, “thread.”) Lacing made from rawhide.
CEN (Ahtna Athabascan) Tundra. (Ken—The c sounds like an English k. The e carries a short sound like the e in the English word set. The Ahtna n sounds like the English n.)
CET’AENI (Ahtna Athabascan) Creatures of ancient Ahtna legend. They are tailed and live in trees and caves. (The c sounds like an English k. The e carries a short sound like the e in the English word set. The t’ is much like an English t followed by a glottal release. The diphthong ae is pronounced like the a in the English word cat. The n is much like the English n, and the final i has a short i sound as in the English word sit. The t’aen is accented.)
CHAGAK (Aleut) Obsidian, red cedar. (The Aleut ch is much like the English ch, the g is like a guttural English g, and the k is a voiced fricative. The a’s are short like the aw in the English word paw. The accent falls on the last syllable.)
CHAKLIUX (Ahtna Athabascan, as recorded by Pinart in 1872) Sea otter. (The word is pronounced as it would be in English, with the a taking on the sound of the u in the English word mutt, the i assuming a short sound as in the English word sit, and the u the sound of the oo in the English word brook. The final x is a voiceless velar fricative.)
CHIGDAX (Aleut) A waterproof, watertight parka made of sea lion or bear intestines, esophagus of seal or sea lion, or the tongue skin of a whale. The hood had a drawstring, and the sleeves were tied at the wrists during sea travel. These knee-length garments were often decorated with feathers and bits of colored esophagus. (The Aleut ch is much like the English ch, the g like a guttural English g, and the d carries almost a th sound. The vowels are short. The x should be properly written as a careted x, and is a voiceless uvular fricative.)
CHISUM NAGA (Aleut) Vagina. (The Aleut ch is much like the English ch, and the vowels are short. The Aleut s is like the English sh, the m like the English m, the n quite nasal, and the g is a voiced velar fricative, quite guttural.)
CIXUDANGIX (Aleut) Sea gull flower—white anemone, anemone narcissiflora. (See Pharmacognosia.) (The c is pronounced like the English k; the vowels are short; the x’s are voiceless velar fricatives. The Aleut d carries almost a th sound, and the n is quite nasal. The g is like a guttural English g.)
DAES (Ahtna Athabascan) Shallow, a shallow portion of a lake or stream. (The d is pronounced with tongue tip touching the backs of the top front teeth. It carries almost a t sound. The diphthong ae has a sound similar to that in the English word hat. The final s carries almost a sh sound.)
DII (Ahtna Athabascan) One alone, on one’s own. (Dee—The d is pronounced with the tongue tip touching the backs of the top front teeth. It carries almost a t sound. The double i carries a long e sound as in the English word free.)
DZUUGGI (Ahtna Athabascan) A favored child who receives special training, especially in oral traditions, from infancy. (The dz takes the sound of the final ds in the English word leads. The uu sounds like the ui in the English word fruit. The Ahtna gg has no English equivalent. It is very guttural and pronounced with the back of the tongue held against the soft palate. The i has a short i sound as in the English word sit. The accent is on the first syllable.)
GGUZAAKK (Koyukon Athabascan) A thrush, Hylocichla minima, H. ustulata, and H. guttata. These birds sing an intricately beautiful song that the Koyukon people traditionally believe to indicate the presence of an unknown person or spirit. (The gg has no English equivalent. It is very guttural and pronounced with the back of the tongue held against the soft palate. The u sounds similar to the oo in the English word book. The z is similar in sound to zh, or the s in treasure. The aa carries an aw sound. The kk is a very hard c sound.)
GHADEN (Ahtna Athabascan) Another person. (The Ahtna gh has no English equivalent. It closely resembles the French r. The a sounds like the English vowel u in the word but. The Ahtna d is pronounced with the tongue tip touching the backs of the top front teeth. It carries almost a t sound. The e carries a short sound like the e in the English word set. The Ahtna n sounds like the English n.)
GHELI (Ahtna Athabascan) True, good. (The Ahtna gh has no English equivalent. It closely resembles the French r. The e carries a short sound like the e in the English word set. The Ahtna l sounds like the l’s in the English word call. The i is like the i in the English word sit.)
HAYH (Ahtna Athabascan) Expression of disgust. (Th
e Ahtna h is a voiceless glottal fricative and rarely used before a vowel. In hayh the first h takes on a more voiced sound like the h in the English word house, while the second h combines with y to give a rare sound in the Athabascan languages. It is pronounced as a voiceless front velar fricative. The a is pronounced like the u in the English word mutt.)
IITIKAALUX (Atkan Aleut) Cow parsnip, wild celery, Heracleum lanatum. (See Pharmacognosia.) The ii is pronounced like a long e. The t and l are much like their English equivalents. The single i and u are short, and the aa carries a long a sound. The k is a guttural English k. The x should be properly written as a careted x, and is a voiceless uvular fricative. The accent is on the penultimate syllable.)
IORI (Japanese) Hut.
IQYAX, pl. IQYAN (Aleut) A skin-covered, wooden-framed boat, a kayak. (The two vowels are short. The q is like a harsh English k, the y much like an English y, and the final x is a voiceless velar fricative. The Aleut n is quite nasal. Accent the first syllable.)
KIIN (Aleut) Who. (The k is a guttural English k. The ii carries a long e sound. The Aleut n is quite nasal.)
K’OS (Ahtna Athabascan) Cloud. (The Ahtna k has no English equivalent. It is similar to the Aleut x and is pronounced in the back of the throat with a very harsh, guttural sound. The apostrophe denotes a glottal stop. The o carries a short sound similar to the o in the English word for. The Ahtna s is pronounced like an English sh.)
KUY’AA (Ahtna Athabascan) A highly respected woman, female chief. (The Ahtna k has no English equivalent. It is similar to the Aleut x and is pronounced in the back of the throat with a very harsh, guttural sound. The u sounds similar to the oo in the English word book. The y is a voiced frontal velar fricative similar to the y in the English word yes. The apostrophe denotes a glottal stop. The aa sounds like the aw in the English word paw. Accent the last syllable.)
LIGIGE’ (Ahtna Athabascan) The soapberry or dogberry, Shepherdia canadensis. (See Pharmacognosia.) (The l is voiceless and has no corresponding sound in English. The tip of the tongue is held on the palate just behind the front teeth and breath released so as to push air off both sides of the tongue. The i has a short i sound like in the English word sit. The single g corresponds most closely to the English k and is pronounced in the back of the throat. The final e is pronounced like the e in set. The apostrophe denotes a glottal stop. Accent the final syllable.)
NAE’ (Ahtna Athabascan) Yes. (The Ahtna n sounds like an English n. The ae acts like a diphthong and takes on the a sound in the English word fad. The apostrophe represents a glottal stop.)
NUHU’AHN (Koyukon Athabascan) The word refers to a creature of legend somewhat like the Windigo of the Cree people, but less violent. The Aleut refer to this creature—generally considered to be a man—as an “outside man,” someone who no longer lives within a village, but for some reason has been forcibly exiled. Literally, nuhu’ahn means “It sneaks around.” (The n’s sound like the English n. The u’s carry the sound of the oo in the English word cook. The h’s are similar to the h in the English word help. The apostrophe denotes a glottal stop. The a sounds like the English vowel u in the word but.)
QUMALIX (Aleut) To be light, bright, shiny. (The initial q is like a harsh English k. The vowels are short. The Aleut m is pronounced like an English m; the Aleut l is a voiced dental lateral. The x is a voiceless velar fricative.)
QUNG (Aleut) Hump, humpback. (The initial q is like a harsh English k. The u is short, and the digraph ng is a nasal, pronounced much like the ng in the English word gong.)
SAMIQ (Ancient Aleut) Stone dagger or knife. (The Aleut s is like the English sh, the vowels are short, and the Aleut m is pronounced like the English m. The final q takes on a harsh English k sound.)
SAX (Aleut) A long, hoodless parka made of feathered birdskins. (The s is pronounced like the English sh; the a is short. The x is a voiceless velar fricative.)
SHUGANAN (Ancient word of uncertain origin) Exact meaning unsure, refers to an ancient people. (Pronounced shoe-ga-nen, accent on the second syllable.)
SOK (Ahtna Athabascan) Raven call. (The Ahtna s is almost like the English sh. The Ahtna o is like the o in the English word for. The k is a guttural English k.)
TAADZI (Ahtna Athabascan) Large deadfall trap. (The initial t is much like an English t. The aa sounds like the aw in the English word paw. The z is pronounced like zh or the s in the English word treasure. The i sounds like the i in the English word sit. Accent the first syllable.)
TIGANGIYAANEN (Ahtna Athabascan) Warrior, great warrior. (The initial t is much like an English t. The i’s sound like the i in the English word sit. The single g’s correspond most closely to the English k and are pronounced in the back of the throat. The Ahtna a is like the u in the English word mutt. The n’s sound like English n’s. The y is a voiced frontal velar fricative similar to the y in the English word yes. The aa sounds like the aw in the English word paw. The Ahtna e is pronounced like the e in the English word set. Accent the penultimate syllable.)
TSAANI (Ahtna Athabascan) Grizzly bear, Ursus arctos. (The ts takes a sound similar to the ts in sets. The aa carries an aw sound. The n is pronounced like the English n, and the i has a short sound like the i in the English word sit. The first syllable is accented.)
ULAX, pl. ULAS or ULAM (Aleut) A semi-subterranean dwelling raftered with driftwood and covered with thatching and sod. (Pronounced oo-lax, with the accent on the first syllable. The a carries a short vowel sound, and the final x is a voiceless velar fricative.)
UUTUK (Aleut) Sea urchin. (The uu takes on a long u sound. The Aleut t is much like a blunted English t—almost a d sound. The k is a voiced fricative.)
UYGIIX (Aleut) Old woman. (The single u takes a short vowel sound. The y sounds much like an English y. The g is a voiced velar fricative, more guttural than the English g. The ii carries a long i sound. The x is properly written as a careted x, and is a voiceless uvular fricative.)
YAA (Ahtna Athabascan) Sky. (The y is a voiced frontal velar fricative similar to the y in the English word yes. The aa sounds like the aw in the English word paw.)
YEHL (Tlingit) Raven. (A similar pronunciation to the English word yell.)
YIKAAS (Ahtna Athabascan) Light. (The i is pronounced like the i in the English word sit. The Ahtna k has no English equivalent. It is similar to the Aleut x and is pronounced in the back of the throat with a very harsh, guttural sound. The aa sounds like the aw in the English word paw. The Ahtna s is pronounced like an English sh.)
The words in the glossary are defined and listed according to their use in Call Down the Stars. Most spellings, pronunciations, and words in the Aleut language are used as per their standardization in the Aleut Dictionary, Unangam Tunudgusii, compiled by Knut Bergsland. Spellings, pronunciations, and words in the Ahtna Athabascan language are used as per their standardization in the Ahtna Athabascan Dictionary, compiled and edited by James Kari. Both dictionaries are published by the Alaska Native Language Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Pharmacognosia
PLANTS LISTED IN THIS Pharmacognosia are not cited in recommendation for use, but only as a supplement to the novel. Many poisonous plants resemble helpful plants, and even some of the most benign can be harmful if used in excess. The wisest way to harvest and prepare wild vegetation for medicine, food, or dye is in the company of an expert. Plants are listed in alphabetical order according to the names used in Call Down the Stars.
ACONITE (Monkshood), Aconitum delphinifolium: Growing up to three feet in height, this purple-blossomed plant has deeply serrated, elongated palmate leaves. The flowers grow at the end of the stem and are purple (occasionally white). The top petal has a hoodlike shape. Caution: All parts of this plant are extremely poisonous and kill by paralyzing the central nervous system. The Aleut people used to dip the tips of their whale harpoons in a decoction of aconite.
ALDER Alnus crispa: A small tree with grayish bark. Medium green leaves have toothed edges, rounded bases, and pointed tips. Flower c
lusters resemble miniature pinecones. The cambium or inner layer of bark is dried (fresh bark will irritate the stomach) and used to make tea said to reduce high fever. It is also used as an astringent and a gargle for sore throats. The bark renders a brown dye. Caution: Leaves are said to be very poisonous.
BANEBERRY Actaea rubra: The baneberry is a vigorous plant that grows in southeastern and coastal Alaska north to the Yukon River area. It attains heights of up to four feet, though two to three feet is normal. Leaves are elongate, dentate, and compound; delicate white flowers grow in balllike clusters at the tips of the stems. Berries are red or white with a characteristic black dot. Caution: All portions of the baneberry are poisonous and ingestion will cause pain and bloody diarrhea. Death may result due to paralysis of the respiratory system and/or cardiac arrest. Do not even touch these plants with bare hands!
BITTER ROOT (chocolate lily, Kamchatka lily or Kamchatka fritillary, wild rice, rice root), Fritillaria camschatcensis: An erect stem bears a dark brown flower with six lanceolate petals. Leaves grow in whorls of six on the upper part of the stem. The flower’s odor is quite unpleasant. The bulbs form edible ricelike corms and should be harvested in late summer. Eaten raw, they are quite bitter, but when boiled and mixed with oil they are very palatable.
BLUEBELLS (chiming bells, lungwort), Mertensia paniculata: Two to three-foot plants sport hairy, elongated ovate leaves that grow opposite one another on the stem. Small groups of delicate, purplish, belllike flowers cluster at the ends of short, drooping stems. Flowers and leaves are said to be good added to teas. Leaves are better picked before the plants flower. The plant has been said to relieve asthma and other types of lung congestion.
BONESET (purple boneset), Eupatorium purpureum: A tall (five to six feet) perennial, its clustered purple flower heads appear in September. Coarse leaves grow in groups of three or five. The root, crushed in a water solution, is said to be a diuretic and tonic as well as a relaxant.