Welcome Travelers to Inuit Mythology

photo by sergei shilenko

Background of the Inuit People

For thousands of years, the Inuit people have learned to survive in a harsh and cold world. The Inuit are nomadic people; during the long, cold winters, they move from place to place constantly, using dog-sleighs or caribou sleighs to carry their equipment, tools, and families across icy waters. During the summers, the Inuit live on islands that surround the Arctic, and when the cold returns and the rivers and lakes freeze, they go out to hunt larger animals such as seals, walruses, small whales, belugas, and even, in rare cases but not uncommon, polar bears.

Though life in the frozen tundra and battling the cold artic climates may appear extremely difficult, the Inuit people are strong and resourceful, and they call the Arctic home. They are found throughout the Arctic region, from Nunavik to Greenland, as well as in parts of Russia. Despite living in one of the harshest environments on Earth, their stories are regarded as some of the richest in indigenous North American mythologies.

According to Inuit beliefs, both humans and animals have mystical powers. The Inuit also believe that there are worlds that humans cannot reach, such as the underworld, a land beneath the seas, the sky world, where powerful entities live, and the only beings who can travel to these worlds are the 'Angakoks" (shamans) and gods.

Now without further ado, let us delve into the epic stories of Inuit mythology.

The Creation Story:

The Inuit creation stories are vast and diverse; there is no single official creation story because each version was told differently but followed a similar plot across each Inuit tribe, and the story begins with a raven.

In the beginning, the earth was dark and full of water. The raven flew over the water, looking for a place to perch, but found nothing. The raven eventually got tired of searching and flew up to the heavens, causing massive rocks to fall from the sky and land in the water below, creating both small and large islands. The raven also planted seeds to help grow vegetation. When he was finished the earth was still empty, so the raven gathered mud from the waters to create land animals and humans. Then he wrapped his wings around them and brought them to life. But he also gave each powerful animal a special role and task to play in the new world.

Important figures and gods:

Image by Oliver hyde

Sedna, The goddess of the seas and the Underworld, Mother of all aquatic animals.

According to most Inuit stories, Sedna was a human who was kidnapped or married to an evil trickster who caused her great suffering, she begged to be released and returned home. Unbeknownst to the evil trickster, the woman's father arrived to rescue her, and as they paddled away on his Kayak, the evil trickster summoned a powerful storm to kill them. The father had no choice but to throw her overboard, otherwise, they would both sink and drown. As the woman clung to the kayak's edge, her father cut off her fingers to get her to let go. As each severed finger fell into the water, it transformed into fish, seals, belugas, and whales, bringing life to the seas.

In the end, Sedna died and rose to become a powerful spirit capable of controlling the water, weather and sea animals, she dwells beneath the seas in the Underworld.

Malina and Igaluk

Malina is the Sun goddess. She creates a temporary summer season, warmth, and energy around the world. Allowing plants and berries to grow and provide food for land animals. She flies around the world, bringing light and seasons.

Igaluk is the Moon God and Malina's brother. He is the night sky's way finder spirit, guiding travelers across dark seas with his lesser light. He is the moon's embodiment and a cosmic force that rules over the seas. 

According to some Inuit mythology, Igaluk was so in love with her sister that he tried to force himself on her, but Malina escaped his grasp and fled to the sky. Igaluk followed her and continues to pursue her around the world. together bringing days and seasons around the world.

Pixabay image by Nanne Tiggelman

Nanuq, The spirit of the hunt, patron of polar bears.

Nanuq is a spirit that takes the form of a polar bear and a human. He determines the spirit of the hunt and luck. The Inuit People once believed to always thank Nanuq for their success during their hunt, and if a hunter fails to follow this ritual or cheats, Nanuq will curse the hunter with bad weather and bad luck.

However, if a hunter pleases Nanuq on their hunt, the polar bear spirit will grant the hunter an opportunity to hunt a polar bear, which were so valuable to the Intuit people in the old world, and a blessing of greater success than their previous hunt.

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Kevin Moses is an award-winning videographer and director at the Montreal film festival in 2015, and at 26, he graduated from Algonquin College's professional writing program with the goal of becoming a published fiction writer. He recently written and published several short stories that are popular among young readers. He recently published his new novel, "Dreams of Magic," which many readers found thought-provoking, epic, entertaining, inspiring, and heartwarming.

Welcome to the Amazing World of Iroquois Mythology

PHOTO BY RON GRAHAM BECKER

The Iroquois were the most powerful tribes in North America, with their own military power that other tribes struggled to match. With this power, the Iroquois led a bloody, semi-sedentary, and prosperous life. Most Iroquois tribes lived in structures known as "longhouses," which could fit more than five families or roughly twenty-five to fifty people in a single house. Some tribes had over ten or even sixty longhouses, making one tribe a formidable force.

The Iroquois hunted and fished, but most importantly, they learned how to cultivate corn, beans and squash to sustain their growing population. They traded with other local tribes and fought anyone who trespassed on their territory or threatened their livelihood. Despite being the only military power in North America, their reign ended with the arrival of the Europeans.

The Iroquois myths and legends ranged from five (later six) different tribes that banded together to form the Haudenosaunee confederacy or "people of the longhouse" around 1400 AD, however some archaeologists estimate it could’ve been earlier. The tribes included the Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Kanyen'keha:ka. Later, the Tuscarora joined in the early 18th century. Although the six nations began as separate tribes. When they came together, they shared their beliefs, language, myths, and legends with one another, forming a long-lasting alliance that still exists today.

The Iroquois, also known as the Haudenosaunee people, lived in northern areas of New York, along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, and throughout the Great Lakes region. From Lake Superior to Lake Ontario, between Canada and the United States.

Today, we will look at some of the Iroquoian myths and legends that have been passed down through the centuries. Without further ado, let us drive.

CREATION STORY

aRTWORK: Sky Woman by Bruce King

According to many Iroquoian beliefs, in the beginning there were the sky people, they lived in light, harmony and could never die. A sky woman became pregnant with twins one day. When her husband discovered she was pregnant, he uprooted a giant tree in a fit of rage, leaving a massive hole in the ground. Inside the hole was another world in complete darkness with no land, only endless water. The husband threw the sky woman down to the earth and left her to drown.

At that moment, two birds were flying over the waters when they saw a bright light appear in the sky. When they saw the sky woman fall, the birds immediately flew to catch her. When they caught her, the woman remained on the birds' backs. With nowhere else to go, the birds accompanied the sky woman to meet the other spirit animals. The woman convinced the spirit animals to help her build a land but she needed a piece of the ground. Many spirits tried to dive beneath the Great Turtle and to scoop up dirt and mud at the bottom, but all failed because it was too deep. Then a Toad volunteered and went down. For a long time, the Toad did not rise, and the spirits assumed it had failed. After a long time, the Toad emerged, his mouth full of dirt and mud.

The sky woman smeared the earth on the turtle's back to create the land. When she was done, all the spirit animals rejoiced because they now had a place to live. The woman also took the dirt and threw it into the sky, forming the moon and stars. The hole in the sky became the sun. Once the earth was finished, she gave birth to two powerful twins: one loved her and everything she created, while the other despised everything, including his own mother.

Notable Iroquois mythological beings

The Twin Gods

Credit: Light vs Dark by Ronron84

The twin gods represent the forces of good and evil. Sapling, the good god, loved animals, so he created vegetation, rivers, trees, and other things to benefit and foster life.

Flint, the evil god, despised everything and created fire, earthquakes, and other natural disasters to exterminate and destroy life. Together, they created humanity to serve the earth, but Flint instilled darkness in mankind's hearts, while Sapling instilled light. The Iroquois believed this is the reason why humans are both good and bad.

The Thunder Spirits

Hinon is the leader and most powerful of the sky spirits. They take on the appearances of both humans with wings and giant birds. They rule the skies with their powerful wings, which can produce thunder. It was believed that when Hinon or the other Thunder spirits fought, lightning struck the ground. They often appear as good and fair spirits who protect the earth from certain monsters.

The three sister goddesses

The three sister spirits are agricultural goddesses who gave humanity the knowledge and power to grow crops like corn, beans, and squash. Disrespecting their gifts resulted in famine and a land cursed with infertility.

The stone coat

The stone coats are a race of giants who hailed from the coldest regions of the world. These monsters were impenetrable and incredibly strong. They were twice the size of a man and could easily kill any animal or human without mercy or thought. Some tribes believed they killed and devoured humans and would often appear during the winter. Some thought these were servants of Flint, the evil god.

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Kevin Moses is an award-winning videographer and director at the Montreal film festival in 2015, and at 26, he graduated from Algonquin College's professional writing program with the goal of becoming a published fiction writer. He recently written and published several short stories that are popular among young readers. He recently published his new novel, "Dreams of Magic," which many readers found thought-provoking, epic, entertaining, inspiring, and heartwarming.

Welcome Wondering Spirits to Algonquin Mythology

Native american wolf art by bob crawford

Welcome to the mythology of Canada's Indigenous peoples. Here, we will explore the rich and wonderful indigenous stories that have been passed down through generations. So, sit back and relax.

Indigenous mythology varies greatly between tribes in America. Each tribe had their own stories, beliefs, and myths that explained how they viewed the world around them. Many oral stories were passed down through generations before colonialism, when the indigenous population still owned the majority of the land. Stories about good and bad spirits, stories of legendary warriors, and hunters were common.

Indigenous people's stories were more than just tales; they contained insights, warnings, dangers, knowledge, and wisdom. The Old Americas was a dangerous world, populated by large beasts, and the once mighty and revered ‘Thunderbird’, which could swoop down and carry a full-grown person away. Or packs of large wolves that are heavier than two-men roaming the land. The indigenous people also had to contend with natural elements such as wind, rain, snow, and heat. Without any modern gadgets, shelter or weapons. It would appear that life would be unbearable at this time, but these stories were passed down by the people, indicating that they were more than just entertainment; they were a way of life.

Without further ado, let's dive into mythology. We'll start with "the Algonquin people," one of Canada's largest indigenous tribes. They lived in New York, Ottawa, Nova Scotia, British Colombia, and all along northern part of Canada.

Algonquin Deities and Monsters:

The Creator

Kitchi Manitou, Gitche Manitou or Chemantou: Kitchi Mantou is the great spirit responsible for the creation of the universe. It is said that he created the sun, earth, water, and sky. Then he filled the newly created universe with all kinds of spirits, both good and evil. Kitchi Manitou is the god of harmony and life. It is believed that when the creator sleeps, the entire world goes dark, and when he wakes up, the sun rises.

Creator Myths

In the beginning, there was only the Creator. While the universe had nothing, the creator became bored and sparked his own creation, the sun. The sun drove away all darkness, but that wasn't enough; he went on to create other things such as the world, stars, water, clouds, and spirits. When the world was young, there was no land or ground for the spirits to roam because the earth was still all water. The creator commanded the great turtle "Tolba" to emerge from the ocean. The creator saw the vast land on the turtle's back and told the spirits, "Here is your home". At that point, the earth was in chaos, with no balance. Then The creator commanded that all spirits play a role in order for the world to remain balanced.

However, some stories from other Algonquin tribes suggest that the creator was angry with the spirits because they were erratic, wicked, and ungrateful for the life they were given. So the creator drowned the entire world and started again.

Great Turtle Island

Tolba: One of the largest and most powerful spirits that still remains on the Earth. The Algonquin and Iroquois people have long believed that a large turtle lives beneath the land and carries the land (continent) above seas on its back; it is an icon of life and a savior for all living animals. It was believed that the ground we walk on is actually the back of a turtle.

Turtle myths

Tolba is an incredibly wise and loving giant. However, the other spirits did not appreciate his help, love and treated him cruelly. Unable to tolerate the abuse, the Turtle submerged itself to drown out the negativity of the other spirits. For a while, spirits swam on open water with no land in sight, and many died until 'Michabo', the great rabbit, and her lover the Muskrat devised a plan to create their own land. The muskrat dove deep into the water, gathered dirt, rocks, and other matter, and concentrated it on the turtle's back, successfully recreating the land over time.

winter wendigo by chrislab 2024

The Man-Eater

Wendigo or Windigo: It is often depicted as an immortal winter monster who hunts and stalks any animal to devour, especially humans. It was thought to be a cursed spirit that can possess any body (including animals) and once an animal or human is cursed, they show signs of insatiable hunger for flesh and blood. Indigenous people believed that if a man eats another man, even if it is for survival, he will be cursed with the Wendigo and will become animalistic and constantly hungry. 

Wendigo myths

Myths about the Wendigo have existed since time immemorial. The legends and myths surrounding this terrifying monster differ greatly between tribes, but one thing remains consistent: it is a monster with a voracious appetite. The wendigo represents the dark side of humanity, including murder, hatred, rage, and cannibalism. He also represents greed, as he can eat and eat without ever being satisfied. The wendigo legend has three recurring themes: cannibalism, starvation, and insanity. It was believed that whoever eats another human would be cursed with the wendigo, and that anyone with too much greed in their hearts would summon the wendigo. Wendigo is often associated with winter because in Ojibwe, his name means "the winter cannibal monster."

Other notable deities:

The Great Hare

Michabo: A shape-shifting deity, the hero-god of humanity and the creator of the land. It was thought that he created humankind by mating with a muskrat and he saved the rest of the spirits from death. He is the perfect combination of deity; his grandmother is the moon goddess, his mother is the sun goddess, and his father is the West Wind spirit, the father of all wind spirits. Michabo is often depicted as a cosmic rabbit, representing strength, courage, and great wisdom.

The Four-Wind Spirits

Wabun or Kabun: The east wind spirit, the youngest and most unpredictable of the four. It is depicted as a beautiful golden eagle.

Shawnodese: The south wind spirit is the laziest and relaxed of the four spirits. It is depicted as the (now-extinct) mountain lion or cougar.

Mudjeekeewis: The west wind spirit is the father of all wind spirits, and he is depicted as a bear.

Kabibonnokka: The north wind spirit, is the oldest sibling of the east and south wind spirits, also he’s one of the most powerful of the four wind spirits. He is depicted as large Buffalo.

The Four Wind Spirits' roles include changing the weather and moving and spreading energy across the land. They assist the creator by giving life to barren areas. They provide light, rain, and protection from the sun's powerful rays.

REFERENCES

Black, Meredith Jean. "Algonquin." The Canadian Encyclopedia (2024). 16 October 2024. <https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/algonquin>.

Huffman, Carla. "Michabo The Great Hare." myth symbols sandplay (2017). 16 October 2024. <https://mythsymbolsandplay.typepad.com/my-blog/2017/03/michabo-the-great-hare.html>.

Justo. "Unveiling the Rich History of Algonquin Indian Tribes: Exploring their Culture and Traditions." Native tribe Infro (2023). 16 October 2024. <https://nativetribe.info/unveiling-the-rich-history-of-algonquin-indian-tribes-exploring-their-culture-and-traditions/>.

Laura Redish, Director. "Algonquin Legends, Myths, and Stories (Algonkin)." (2020). 16 October 2024. <https://www.native-languages.org/algonquin-legends.htm>.

Leland, Charles G. "The Algonquin Legends of New England." scared-texts (1884). 16 October 2024. <https://sacred-texts.com/nam/ne/al/al05.htm>.

O'Neal, Shannon Leigh. "Algonquin American Indian Tribe Beliefs." The Classrom (2019). <https://www.theclassroom.com/algonquin-american-indian-tribe-beliefs-7457.html>.

Sutherland, A. "Michabo (Michabou) – Algonquins’ Great Spirit With Power Over The Earth." ancientpages.com (2024). 16 October 2024. <https://www.ancientpages.com/2024/08/06/michabo-algonquins-great-spirit-with/>.

The Enlightenment Journey. "The Legend of the Wendigo: A Terrifying Folklore." (2024). 16 October 2024. <https://theenlightenmentjourney.com/the-legend-of-the-wendigo-a-terrifying-folklore/>.

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Kevin Moses is an award-winning videographer and director at the Montreal film festival in 2016, and at 26, he graduated from Algonquin College's professional writing program with the goal of becoming a published fiction writer. He has written and published several short stories that are popular among young readers. He recently published his new novel, "Dreams of Magic," which many readers found thought-provoking, epic, entertaining, inspiring, and heartwarming.