By: Sarah Thomas
1. The Legend of the Bow & Arrow War: Centuries ago, a group of native Alaskans, known as the Yupik, hosted an innocent game of darts. Little did they know that this little competition would begin a colossal war. During the games, one boy accidentally shot his competitor with a dart. The dart hit the other boy’s eyes. Although the first boy claimed it was an accident, the victim’s family accused this boy’s family. In fact, the injured boy’s father knocked out both of the eyes of the boy who shot the dart. Then, a relative of the now blind boy retaliated on the victim’s family. Legend says that as the families’ conflict escalated, multiple wars broke out across Alaska, spreading as far as some parts of Northwestern Canada. This is the 350-year-old legendary massacre.
The Legend of the Bow & Arrow War originated in Quinhagak, Alaska.
2. The Legend of El Dorado: In the 16th century, Spanish explorers traveled to the Andes Mountains, knowing about El Dorado. Who was El Dorado? What was his significance? For starters, El Dorado refers to the chief of the ancient Muisca tribe. El Dorado wasn’t even his name; it was a nickname given by the explorers. El Dorado means “gilded one”. The Spanish explorers journeyed all the way to the Andes Mountains in search of treasure, which they believed they would find in Lake Gultiva. During the time of the Muisca tribe, a new chief had risen to power. At the new chief’s induction ceremony, the people of the Muisca tribe covered their new chief in gold. Afterward, they would dump all sorts of treasures into Lake Gultiva to support their new chief. They ended up doing this almost every day. Legend says that the chief would take a bath in the lake every day to cover himself in gold. While the Spanish explorers never got to meet El Dorado, they were able to find some gold. But the valuable treasures thrown into Lake Gultiva were never to be found.
The Legend of El Dorado originated in present-day Sesquile, Colombia
3. The Legend of the Shipwrecked Sailor: One day, a nameless sailor from the Middle Kingdom of Egypt miraculously survived a shipwreck, somewhere between the years 2040 and 1782 B.C. He was the only survivor out of 120 men on that ship. The sailor was lost at sea for a very long time, until one day, he stumbled upon an island. It was Island of the Soul. Not wanting to be stranded in the middle of the ocean, he quickly hastened to the island. When he reached the island, he met a serpent called the Lord of Punt. The Lord of Punt was very chatty, yet very wise. Soon, the sailor and the Lord of Punt were very good friends. Legend says that the Lord of Punt promised the sailor that in 4 months, a ship would come to save him. After four months, the ship arrived, just as the snake had promised. Legend says that the snake gave the unnamed sailor spices, incense, and other gifts. The presents were for the king. The snake requested the sailor to give the king presents and “make me a good name in your town.” This meant that the snake wanted to earn the king’s praise and to be known all over town. What happens after this is unknown. Maybe he sunk at sea in the rescue ship. Maybe he made it to the town and told the king about the loyal friend. Or maybe he forgot about the helpful snake over time.
The Legend of the Shipwrecked Sailor originated in Egypt.