Kuutkh (Raven) Creates the World
The central creation myth of the Chukchi, Koryak, and Itelmen peoples of northeastern Siberia. Kuutkh, the Great Raven, is both creator and trickster who shaped the cosmos from primordial chaos. In the beginning, there was nothing but darkness and water. Kuutkh flew over the endless sea and, through his actions — purposeful and accidental — created land, mountains, rivers, and valleys. He brought light to the world, taught humans essential survival skills including fire-making, hunting techniques, and net-weaving. Kuutkh can shift between raven and human form and his unpredictable nature, blen