Inuit mythology includes animism, animal importance, multiple deities, and mythological creatures. Animism is consistent throughout, with many characters depicted as animals. Inuit deities hold power over specific parts of nature, and mythical beasts are often terrifying creatures responsible for unexplained deaths.
Inuit mythology is a deeply complex set of beliefs, images and stories passed down among the Inuit over many generations. Like many mythological traditions, the main elements of Inuit mythology give insight into ancient cultural concepts and modern belief systems. Some of the important elements of Inuit mythology include animism, the importance of animals, the existence of multiple deities and the presence of mythological creatures.
Animism suggests that non-human entities possess a soul or spirit equal to that of a human. This belief is consistent throughout Inuit mythology, with many of the main characters in folk stories depicted as animals or spirit animals. The fact that the Inuit traditionally rely on the consumption of animals to survive is often a source of conflict and fear in Inuit mythology. An oft-quoted concept from Inuit culture suggests that much of the danger to human existence comes from the contradictory practice of, if necessary, making a living by eating other souls. Killing animals without reason or necessity is often presented as immoral, making the killer vulnerable to attacks by vengeful spirits of the dead.
The prominence of animism leads to an increased emphasis on animals in Inuit mythology. According to some versions of the Inuit creation myth, a powerful spirit called the Raven is responsible for creating man and woman as a mate. Many folk tales involve human relationships with animals, including stories of intermarriage between animals and people. Animals helping or hindering man, and the transformation of man into animal or vice versa, are also recurring elements in many folk tales.
Extremely powerful spirits, or gods and goddesses, also play an important role in the folklore of the Inuit people. A unique tenet of Inuit mythology is the absence of a parental or divine figure. Unlike Greek mythology, where the pantheon is ruled by Zeus and Hera, Inuit deities are not subject to a single chief god. Instead, each god or goddess holds power over a specific part of nature or the natural world, serving as the protector and patron of a chosen element. The names and roles of gods and goddesses may vary depending on the region, but recurring deities include Sedna, goddess of the sea, and Malina and Anningan, the sibling rulers of the Sun and Moon.
The mythical beasts of Inuit folktales are often terrifying creatures, held responsible for many unexplained deaths, disappearances and accidents. Popular manifestations include the wendigo, an amphibious alligator-like creature said to hunt in lakes, delighting in destroying fishing gear. The qalupalik, a mermaid-like sea creature, is famous for luring naughty children to live beneath the waves. These ferocious creatures, often thirsty for human suffering, serve as reminders of the wild powers of the natural world and the incredibly rugged terrain of the polar region.
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