Comment
Recorded from
Nikolaj Lixachev
in 1986. This legend is probably influenced by Yakut mythology, as the Yakuts believed that when a good singer sings (s)he is competing with the devil's daughter. The Yukaghirs considered singing a magical action. According to traditional Yukaghir beliefs, shamans used to sing sitting on trees. Shamans often competed with one another in singing competitions.
Translation
(30-1) One girl climbed up a tree and started singing.
(30-2) She sat there and sang for a long time.
(30-3) While she sang long, another woman started singing from a cloud on the sky.
(30-4) That first girl sang about everything.
(30-5) She sang about trees, grass, people, and everything.
(30-6) She was the best singer among Yukaghirs.
(30-7) The other girl was apparently the daughter of the devil. When the Yukaghir firl was singing, she was also singing from the sky.
(30-8) She was teasing her all the time.
(30-9) She was teasing her all the time. She said: "I am singing." She stopped singing about all things on this earth and came to the God.
(30-10) She sang about the God.
(30-11) The man has many gods. She sang about what different gods do, how they make people live, and how they make houses.
(30-12) That Yukaghir girl sang and said "Christ".
(30-13) When she said "Christ", the other girl said "kytchuos" instead.
(30-14) This means that the Yukaghir girl has won.
Glosses