Eskimo legends are similar to the myths of other civilizations. They reflect the realities of daily life and seek to explain the mysteries of nature. The term 'Eskimo' refers to the indigenous people of Alaska, while others of the same race were native to the Arctic and sub-arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Russia. The unwritten tales were passed down from generation to generation since the earliest days of man's presence in this inhospitable area of the world.
'Inuit' means 'real people', and is the designation that is preferred by most present-day people who claim this heritage. 'Eskimo' was coined by American Indians who lived farther south and means 'raw meat eaters'. This refers to the fact that the people of the frozen tundra lived by hunting, their diet was almost exclusively meat, and fuel for fires was rare in this remote area.
Living is definitely not easy in the far north, even with modern conveniences like permanent housing, fuel oil heat, and motorized transportation. The ancient people risked their lives on a daily basis, hunting seals and the more formidable walrus, whale, and polar bear. They could be killed by an animal, starve during a long, cruel winter, drown on the treacherous seas, or suffer illness and old age and find it hard to get what they needed to sustain life.
Modern housing has replaced the igloos of former winters and the skin tents used during hunting season. Television now brings entertainment to long winter nights which used to be enlivened with stories of heroic and often fantastic figures. Even the stone houses of eastern settlements are things of the past.
Like other peoples who lived by hunting, Eskimos had a reverence for life. Prey animals were thought to have souls and to willingly give up their lives to feed the people. Hunts were begun with prayer and ceremony. Spirits were believed to live all around in nature, and gods lived underneath the sea or in the sky.
There were supernatural elements in every legend; animals could speak but they were often really spirit (guides, guardians, or enemies) in disguise. Ghosts, fantastic creatures, and dancing spirits in the aurora borealis surrounded the Inuit day and night. Gods were believed to live in the waters. No one wanted to offend a spirit or a god.
The harsh living conditions in the Arctic are reflected in the tales. The family unit was the main social structure, and being an orphan was a fearful state. Many legendary figures began life as despised and mistreated orphans, who finally left their less than amiable caregivers and returned in triumph after finding supernatural help. Hunting prowess is a major theme, and there are tales to explain the origin of sun, moon, stars, animals, and people.
Eskimo legends are often grim, a far cry from the artistic and poetic myths of more civilized regions to the south. However, the human spirit triumphs over adversity in most of them. Much information found online is in summary form, since the translations made from direct interviews are frequently difficult to follow.
'Inuit' means 'real people', and is the designation that is preferred by most present-day people who claim this heritage. 'Eskimo' was coined by American Indians who lived farther south and means 'raw meat eaters'. This refers to the fact that the people of the frozen tundra lived by hunting, their diet was almost exclusively meat, and fuel for fires was rare in this remote area.
Living is definitely not easy in the far north, even with modern conveniences like permanent housing, fuel oil heat, and motorized transportation. The ancient people risked their lives on a daily basis, hunting seals and the more formidable walrus, whale, and polar bear. They could be killed by an animal, starve during a long, cruel winter, drown on the treacherous seas, or suffer illness and old age and find it hard to get what they needed to sustain life.
Modern housing has replaced the igloos of former winters and the skin tents used during hunting season. Television now brings entertainment to long winter nights which used to be enlivened with stories of heroic and often fantastic figures. Even the stone houses of eastern settlements are things of the past.
Like other peoples who lived by hunting, Eskimos had a reverence for life. Prey animals were thought to have souls and to willingly give up their lives to feed the people. Hunts were begun with prayer and ceremony. Spirits were believed to live all around in nature, and gods lived underneath the sea or in the sky.
There were supernatural elements in every legend; animals could speak but they were often really spirit (guides, guardians, or enemies) in disguise. Ghosts, fantastic creatures, and dancing spirits in the aurora borealis surrounded the Inuit day and night. Gods were believed to live in the waters. No one wanted to offend a spirit or a god.
The harsh living conditions in the Arctic are reflected in the tales. The family unit was the main social structure, and being an orphan was a fearful state. Many legendary figures began life as despised and mistreated orphans, who finally left their less than amiable caregivers and returned in triumph after finding supernatural help. Hunting prowess is a major theme, and there are tales to explain the origin of sun, moon, stars, animals, and people.
Eskimo legends are often grim, a far cry from the artistic and poetic myths of more civilized regions to the south. However, the human spirit triumphs over adversity in most of them. Much information found online is in summary form, since the translations made from direct interviews are frequently difficult to follow.
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