The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FISHING BELIEF

THE ALASKAN INDIANS HAVE A PECULIAR WAY OF KNOWING WHEN TO FISH FOR
SALMON. THEIR SHAMAN, A TYPE OF MEDICINE MAN, GOES TO THE TOP (OF)
THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN AND PRAYS TO THE SEA. WHEN HE SEES A SCHOOL
OF BELUGA WHALES SWIMMING CLOSE TO THE SURFACE NEAR SHORE, HE
RETURNS TO THE VILLAGE AND TELLS THE TRIBE THAT THEY CAN NOW GO
TO THE RIVERS AND CATCH ALL THE SALMON THAT THEY WILL NEED FOR THE
WINTER. IF THEY BEGIN CATCHING SALMON BEFORE THIS, IT WILL BRING
BAD LUCK ON THE VILLAGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings:

891 Animals, vertebrate and invertebrate)
891 Animals, (vertebrate and invertebrate)
891 Animals, (vertebrate and invertebrate)
891 Animals, (vertebrate and invertebrate)
891 Animals, (vertebrate and invertebrate)
BELIEF -- Fish
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.31
BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Animals (vertebrate and invertebrate)
BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through P891.3

Date learned: 11-20-1968