Kiviuq : An Epic in the Making?
In a stimulating paper, Roberte Hamayon explored the connection between shamanic and epic traditions among the Siberian Buryat. In this paper I examine the shamanic end epic dimensions of Inuit stories, notably the famous unikaaqtuaq of Kiviuq. The stories of Kiviuq have all the features of an emergent epic, focusing on a shamanic hero. Particular attention is given to the complex dialectics of the social and non-social behaviour of the hero. Kiviuq’s position appears to be ambiguous as his adventurous may result in a complete alienation of society as well as in a return to his wives. He does not use his shamanic skills for the benefit of the community but to survive in his encounters with dangerous non-human beings. Thus Kiviuq is not a hero of service, but a hero of survival.