Klukwan House Post Collection

Duk Toothl -- "Black Skin"

In old Takwanedi lived a chief named Galwet. The village people would bath with their chief every morning in the sea to gain strength in preparation for the battle with the large Sea Lions commonly referred to as the "men of the islands." Galwet's nephew was a weakling and a coward and would lie in bed while the others bathed. They called him Duk-toothl or 'Black skin" because he was blackened by soot from sleeping to close to the fire and he never took a bath.The people thought he was low and a dirty fellow but in reality he kept himself pure and would not lie or steal. Duk-toothl promised his aunt he would secretly make himself strong and worthy of respect accorded a chief.

He began to steal away into the night and float for many hours in the sea and became strong enough to twist branches off the trees and twist tree trunks from the ground.The people continued to make fun of him but he paid no attention to them. One day Galwet decided he was strong enough to go and do battle with the Sea Lions and Black skin went along with them by canoe to the island. Galwet walked through the small sea-Lions killing them with his bare hands as he made his way towards the largest one on the island. The chief thought he was powerful enough to do the something to the largest one but the Sea Lion smashed him to pieces on the rocks.
Duk-toothl was hurt deeply to see his uncle killed by the big sea Lion. He boldly climbed out of the canoe and made his way quickly towards the largest sea lion tearing to pieces and throwing the sea lions out of his way like they were little birds. The men in the canoe were astonished and a shamed of themselves and afraid of Duk-toothl as they watched him seize the largest sea lion and tear it into two pieces.The men quickly rowed the canoe away from the island in fear of there lives, leaving Duk-tooth behind.

Black skin continued to stay with the sea lions and noticed that they began to look more like human beings. He helped remove a barbed spear stuck in one of the sea lions side and the sea lions in return helped him to get back to his home by a magical box that would bring any kind of wind to push it along. When Duk-toothl reached home the people who made fun of him ran and were a scared for there lives. He told them not to be afraid and not to make fun of poor people as they did when his uncle was a live. After this black skin was known by his true name Ka-ha-si.

The full story can be found in the Marius Barbeau's "Totem poles" book.

 

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