Hiking on Vancouver Island

Totem pole carved by Oscar Matilpi, 1985 © City of Duncan

Beware venturing off alone in the woods outside the City of Duncan on Vancouver Island.

Dzonoqua is known as the "thief of souls and children", the "cannibal giant" and the "wild woman of the woods". This black, bushie haired giantess cannibal wanders the rainforest making whistling sounds to attract lost children, and others. She rubs pitch in their eyes to blind them and tosses them into a basket made of snakes that she carries on her back.

Dzonoqua is strong enough to tear down large trees and make the earth tremble with her voice. She takes her captive innocents to her home deep underground where she and her husband might dine on them but more likely use them as slaves.

At the end of Kenneth Street, in "The City of Totems", is a pole carved in 1985 by Oscar Matilpi showing Dzonoqua carrying "coppers", symbols of wealth and prestige.

Still, you must never lose hope. It's said "those who escape her slavery and make their way home become wealthy".

Never hike alone in a rainforest!