RE: NANFA-- Fish Folklore/ language history

Jay DeLong (thirdwind_at_att.net)
Thu, 8 Nov 2001 11:52:41 -0800

> > dogfish -- inspired by the bowfin's large canine teeth.
>
> They are called that here because they bark, actually let air out of their
> lung when caught. I have this one video happening.

The chum salmon is also called the dog salmon. The teeth of males at
spawning time would suggest why, but it's really from the Alaskan natives'
use of the salmon to feed their sled dogs. Salmon flesh is high in fat and
oil content so is a nutritious food, and chum salmon are very abundant in
Alaska and easily caught, even with primitive methods.

Rob and all, in talking about fish folklore I'd suspect there are few, if
any, fish species which have inspired more folklore than salmon. Entire
cultures of some native peoples are associated with salmon-- settlement,
history, food, religion, customs, ceremonies, etc.

--
Jay DeLong
Olympia, WA

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