The meaning of ‘be glimpsed awake’
The meaning of ‘be glimpsed awake’
The passage below is from Fathoms: The World in the Whale Hardcover by Rebecca Giggs.
Worldwide, both the killing practices and the function of whale parts varied, culture to culture. In the Great Australian Bight, there remain vestiges of whale rib bones lashed together to construct beehive-shaped structures, not dissimilar from
wigwams. Dugout canoes were used in the Solomon Islands to drive dolphins onto land; dolphin teeth being there a bride price. Sperm whales were speared off Zanzibar during an era of mud houses. In the Pacific Northwest—where tradition
mandated a tribal whaler needed to dream the whale before it could be glimpsed awake—lances might be weaponised with blades of elk horn and serrated mussel shell; whales died there having had shards of other animals driven into them.
In this passage I cannot understand the bold-faced phrase.
First, ‘it’ seems to refer to ‘the whale.’ (Am I right?)
Last and foremost questions, what is the meaning of ‘be glimpsed awake’? As I know, ‘glimpse’ means ‘to look briefly’. Does it say the whale is awake by being glimpsed by whalers?
(From here the question may not be a usual question, rather it is close to asking your opinion, but to me it’s still a question. If you mind it, you are pleased to dismiss it.)
Then, why should a tribal whaler dream the whale before the whale is awaken by being glimpsed by whalers? Does it make any sense?
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
In the Pacific Northwest—where tradition mandated a tribal whaler needed to dream the whale before it could be glimpsed awake —lances might be weaponised with blades of elk horn and serrated mussel shell; whales died there having had shards of other animals driven into them. This is describing the religion or belief system of an indigenous people. The man (the women did not hunt or kill whales), it was believed, had to dream about the animal he was going to kill first.
- In the Pacific Northwest—where tradition mandated a tribal whaler needed to dream the whale before it could be glimpsed awake —lances might be weaponised with blades of elk horn and serrated mussel shell; whales died there having had shards of other animals driven into them.
- This is describing the religion or belief system of an indigenous people.
- The man (the women did not hunt or kill whales), it was believed, had to dream about the animal he was going to kill first.
- I suppose this was to insure that he would be protected by a dream spirit.
- It is some magic power to dream of these powerful beasts.
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In the Pacific Northwest—where tradition mandated a tribal whaler needed to dream the whale before it could be glimpsed awake—lances might be weaponised with blades of elk horn and serrated mussel shell; whales died there having had shards of other animals driven into them.
This is describing the religion or belief system of an indigenous people.
The man (the women di
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