The Cannibal Woman Society (Kwakwaka'wakw)

myth · United States · North American

Long ago when totemic beings walked the earth, there was Dzunukwa (Cannibal Woman), a gigantic female being with great wealth and powerful magic who ate people. The other beings became alarmed and decided only Raven could stop her. Raven flew to the North End of the World and recruited a flock of fearsome Cannibal Birds, becoming their leader. He returned with his flock to the great forest where Dzunukwa lived, and they danced and sang her praises. When the dance ended, Dzunukwa found herself bound by powerful magic and could no longer eat flesh — the only things she could eat were nuggets of

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