Eskimo Stories Teach About The Spirits

By Krystal Branch


The incredibly harsh environment of the Canadian arctic has certainly helped to shape the lives and beliefs of the native Inuit people. They have to live and work in such extreme of cold that every day is a lesson in survival. It is no wonder that they have a very unique world view that perfectly captures their homeland. The Eskimo stories are not only fascinating in themselves but also offer a window into this inhospitable world and the people who call it home.

The unbelievably harsh environment is what has created the Inuit legends. The belief system of these ancient people is really quite unique. There is nothing to compare with it anywhere else. Probably the most striking difference is that there are no gods, deities or rulers. This reflects the democratic nature of life in the arctic. In many cases the struggle to survive takes priority over everything else and there is not time to worry about who should be the leader.

The Inuit are painfully aware that even a short run of bad luck could easily wipe out a family or community. With this constantly on their minds they are very careful to observe many rituals and avoid bringing about the anger of the spirits. Both good and bad spirits are thought to inhabit the world and in some cases people can be possessed.

The spirits or Anirniit are an integral part of life. A spirit can be good or evil, it may try to help humans or it may try to hinder and trick them. People must be on the look out for spirits all the time and avoid situations that may provoke them or bring bad luck to the settlement. Bad luck is more serious in a small community that is barely able to survive. It can be the difference between life and death.

Over the centuries many legends have developed. Most tales are passed on from one generation to the next by oral tradition. Each group would have a designated story teller who was responsible for memorizing the legends and passing them on. Interestingly many of the legends can be traced back hundreds of years and seem to fit in well with what is known of the changing arctic landscape.

In 2001 the movie Atanarjuat - The Fast Runner made its premier. This movie is unique in that it was made from one of most popular and best remembered of all Inuit stories. Atanarjuat goes through many trials, these include death threats, fear, pain and betrayal. He has to make difficult decisions that affect not only himself but all those in his tight knit group.

Anirniit are believed to inhabit every living creature. This means that animals are just as important as people. To kill any animal as just as sacred as killing a human. The correct taboos must be upheld to ensure that the spirit of the dead animal does not come back to haunt the hunter.

It is probably this unique and brutal approach that gives Eskimo stories their incredible power. Audiences are left stunned by the depth of the human spirit and the struggle to survive. It shows only too clearly how life can come to an unexpected and abrupt ending. The Inuit belief system is at first glance primitive, yet underneath there is an incredible amount of feeling and emotion.




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