Miligruaq’s Sayuun

Miligruaq’s Sayuun

Miligruaq’s song comes from a tradition of friendly rivalry between Iñupiaq song-makers. A song maker would compose a song about their rival and send the song to that rival by way of a messenger. The rival song-maker would send another song in response and so on.

This song was composed in the early 20th century by Miligruaq of Iŋalliq (Little Diomede). It was made about Asatchaq Jimmie Killigivuk of Tikiġaq (Point Hope), in response to a song that Asatchaq had previusly composed.

The contents of Miligruaq’s Song are described in the book  Iñupiat Aġġisit Atuutiŋich: Iñupiat Dance Songs  as follows:

“The song that Miligruaq sent to Asatchaq claimed that he was a wealthy man who changed wives all the time. It also said that Asatchaq went out hooking and instead of getting a fish, he caught a lady. He wanted the lady to keep the house warm for him, and to get him his coffee in the morning and do all the chores because he was lazy.”

To view a performance of this song, follow this link. The song begins at 18:00. This video was created to accompany the book Iñupiat Dance Songs. This book is accessible from the Alaska Native Language Archives. Follow this link to access the book.

 

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