Tom Belt as well as T.J. Holland when asked about Mooney's retelling of the tale of Tsul 'Kalu, assume that he either disregarded bits that he felt important or was purposefully left in the dark by the storyteller. There are certain facts about how after Tsul 'Kalu stays the night with the young Giduhwa woman that he is then referred to as her husband, this is because their traditions on what they believe constituted a "marriage" were much different than the European influence we see today. It is also noted that the young maiden listened to her mother and followed her directive to find a husband who could provide meat, traditionally Giduhwa mothers had a large role in who their daughters married. Tom Belt also corrects Mooney's term of "Lord of the hunt" saying that Tsul 'Kalu was more of a sheppard or guide on how to live with and care for the land. Holland also mentions the use of the asi in the tale, these were sweat lodge like rooms that injured or healing individuals would reside in. Belt clarifies that Tsul' Kalu's eyes weren't slanting but more so like a cat eye as the translation is closer to "he has them leaning" than "slanting".
primrosa
Giduhwa traditions
Updated: Jun 11
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