Introduction-E

That’s the first time I’ve heard of iqqullirautit.
Paniaq: Yes. We’d say we’re playing hide and seek and we’d hide an object. That’s what
was called the iqqullirauti.
Can the eraser of a pencil be called the iqqullirauti?
Paniaq: Yes it can be called that. I hide it while you are not looking, and then you start
searching for it, and it can be called the iqqullirauti. The one who finds it gets a chance
to hide it. That’s in our area. I do not know what you call it in your area.
Do you recall events in a qaggiq?
Paniaq: I do not know about the events in the qaggiq. I didn’t see drums for a long time
either. I’ve never been to a qaggiq. The only time I saw drum-dancing was when my
uncle wanted me to accompany him to Naujaat to the Catholic mission, and I saw a
drum-dancer. I cannot say I’ve been to a qaggiq.
Have you ever heard about tarriassut or inurajat?
Paniaq: I have only heard of them; I don’t have any personal experiences. I have never
met any tarriassut.
Who was it that went to meet a tarriasuk and attempted to get on the
qamutik?
Paniaq: I don’t know who it was. That was before our time. Our grandfather told us a
story about a man who had been waiting at a seal hole, and started walking. When a
dogteam caught up to him and he tried to get on the qamutik, he landed on bare ice.
Were you told scary stories?
Paniaq: No, I heard the story of Niaqukittuq, the small-headed man. I had heard that he
couldn’t talk and had gone to Itikuttuk’s wife’s dwelling during the night. I had heard
of that and I feared going out alone because I might see him. I have never had a
supernatural experience. It was just me who was scared.
Can you tell us about the first time you caught a caribou?
Paniaq: I cannot tell you at all about my first caribou story because whenever I try to
recall the first time I caught a caribou, I cannot remember it.
50 Introduction to the Oral Traditions