Kiviuq (mythology)
Kiviuq (pronounced “Qiviuq”, “Kiviuk” and in other variations) is the hero of epic stories in the world of Eskimos in the arctic regions of Canada , Alaska and Greenland .
Kiviuq is a constant Eskimo wanderer. Ghosts , giants , cannibals , bears and sea monsters are commonplace in the world of Kiviuk and keep inflicting damage on it. Kiviuq travels by dog sled , kayak , or is carried on the back of huge fish . However, his supernatural strength allows him to withstand all violence directed against him on his journeys through the far north.
The stories of Kiviuq's adventures are told across the Arctic. Kiviuq grew very old and even lived several lives. The locations of the plot and the exact events vary from narrator to narrator. In Greenland it is called “Qooqa” and in Alaska “Qayaq”.
A much-quoted legend of Kiviuq tells of his friendship with the grandson of an old woman. Everyone reviled the boy and made fun of him except for Kiviuq. The old woman swore revenge and turned her grandson into a seal to swim out to sea. The men followed the animal to hunt it. Before the hunters even got there, the old woman managed to create a storm that tore down all but the seal and Kiviuq, who accompanied the train in his kayak. Back on the safe shore, the boy was transformed back again and Kiviuq drove off with his kayak to have more adventures elsewhere and to meet new people in other countries.
Older Eskimos say that he is still alive and that his experiences exist somewhere. Because before he dies, he must show himself to his people again. According to narrated tradition, Kviuq's stories have been preserved in many different versions and recently they have been passed on by a new generation of Eskimo storytellers in written or graphic form.
Kiviuq is also a moon of Saturn named after this legendary hero.
