Dask'iya (also spelled Dassk'iya, Daskiya, and other ways.) Dask'iya is a cannibal ogress in Quileute tales, sometimes known as a "basket ogress" or "basket woman." She is said to capture children in her basket and carry them home to eat them. Stories about Dask'iya are told to frighten Quileute children and warn them away from bad behavior. Her name is pronounced similar to dusk-ee-yuh.
I've heard many stories about Dask'iya and her stick people made from branches in the trees. She used to throw sand in children's eyes to blind them if they went on the beach at night. This would keep children from getting swept away by the ocean IRL, but the witch would have her stick people carry them to her cave where she would be getting the fire ready to cook and eat them. You can't see the stick people during the day, but at night they come out of the trees so don't go in the forest at night. I've heard about her throwing sand in eyes as well as putting sap in their eyes to blind them and make them easy to capture.
ReplyDeleteOh, my question is... Why can't I find anything written about the stick people? Growing up with Quileutes I have heard many stories but can't seem to find anything published. I will have to ask my Quileute friends if they have any old texts about Dask'iya and the stick people. :)
DeleteThey also say she was like a witch with moss in her hair, rags and seaweed for clothes. I definitely have not heard about hr looking like the pic here.
Delete