Tradition: Tlingit Mythology, American Mythology
Alternative Names: Ghost House
Category: Ghost
The Myth
Ghost Town is a deserted settlement inhabited by invisible spirits. When Raven arrives, he finds a large town where everyone appears to have died. He enters the largest house, but an unseen presence continually pushes him away, even though he cannot see anyone inside. Realizing that the house is haunted, Raven discovers that the apparently empty town is not as deserted as it seems.
Raven decides to take provisions from the empty houses, loading them into his canoe before paddling away. However, he does not notice that a long rope connects the stern of his canoe to a tree on the shore. Once he reaches the end of the rope, the canoe is abruptly pulled back to the beach, and all the provisions are returned to the houses. Despite these mysterious actions, Raven cannot see anyone responsible.
The invisible inhabitants then retaliate by dropping a large stone onto Raven’s foot, leaving him badly lame. Although the town appears empty, its ghostly residents can move objects, prevent outsiders from taking their possessions, and inflict physical harm on those who disturb their settlement.
Sources
Judson, Katharine Berry, ed. Myths and Legends of Alaska. Illustrated. Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1911.