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| Figure 1: Wendigo |
The Wendigo mythos has a long history. While it is a popular myth depicted in
American pop culture it originates among Native American groups of the Atlantic
Coast and Great Lakes region. The
Americanized versions of the Wendigo are not what it originally represented,
which is the topic of today’s blog post.
This blog post will address what the Wendigo is, the original purposed
of the myth, and how it transformed and why.
The Wendigo is a creature popular among North American
Algonquian groups. They believed that
the Wendigo was one of several Manitous, creatures responsible for creating the
world and teaching man how to live and worship the gods. The Wendigo was the most horrible of the
Manitous, representing the vilest characteristics of humanity. He was described as a gigantic, gaunt,
withered creature that feasted on human flesh and was never able to satiate his
hunger (Figure 1).
The Wendigo embodied all things that the Algonquian Native
Americans despised and found taboo (immoral).
The Wendigo tale was one that represented greed and selfishness, which
were qualities that were discouraged among these Native American groups. Some scholars believe that the Wendigo mythos
was born out of harsh times when cannibalistic tendencies were viewed as
acceptable among some despite the taboo, and the Algonquians prided themselves
on not resembling the Wendigo in any way.
With contact with white, European settlers came an evolution
of the Wendigo mythos. The white,
European settlers represented all aspects of the Wendigo, and Native Americans
transformed the myth accordingly. This
was the first time that the Wendigo was identified as being able to take human
form. Humans could become a Wendigo by
one of three ways: 1) eating human flesh; 2) becoming possessed by Wendigo
spirit; or 3) being unknowingly cursed by another due to one’s wicked
ways. White, European settlers latched
onto the myth and used it against Native Americans, using it as a tool to
demonize Native Americans.
Today, the Wendigo myth hardly resembles what it originally
was. The only original part of the myth
that remains is the cannibalism, which continues to remain a taboo in all
cultures that have used and appropriated the myth. The original purpose of the myth was to be a
cautionary tale, but today it remains a scary tale without the advisory notes. Much like the other posts over the past month
the purpose of the myth changes to meet the needs of the people, and the tale
of the Wendigo is no different.
References
DHWTY. 2016. “Be Wary of the Wendigo: A Terrifying Beast
of Native American Legend with an Insatiable Hunger to Devour Mankind.” Ancient Origins.net. http://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/be-wary-wendigo-terrifying-beast-native-american-legend-insatiable-hunger
Jusiak, K. 2015. “The Embodiment of the Taboo: The Images of
Wendigo in Literature and Their Rendition in Modern Media.” Bachelor Thesis. Academia.edu
Lietz, M. 2016. “Cannibalism in Contact Narratives and the
Evolution of the Wendigo.” MA Thesis. Eastern Michigan University.
Ritzenthaler, R.E. and Ritzenthaler,
P. 1983. The Woodland Indians of the Western Great Lakes, Prospect
Heights IL: Waveland Press.
41 comments:
While reading this post I learned that this myth exist in North America and deals with a creature by the name of Wendigo. This tale represented greed and selfishness which were qualities that Native Americans disliked. It is said that humans could become Wendigo by following 3 steps including eating humans.
This is very interesting. I love mythology like this and wanted to learn more about the Wendigo since I first heard about it.
I actually loved this blog post. It's interesting to know that people actually worshipped and guided themselves through these type of gods. Mythology is just so interesting to me and reading this made me want to learn a little bit MORE about Wendigo.
I think that the myth about the Wendigo is unfortunate because every myth is always turned into something that is scary and beyond extreme. It could be a myth about a harmless creature hen turned into something that is evil or wants to kill. People always exaggerate stories and myths to make them seem more interesting.
It is very ideal that settlers would use the myth to their advantage. The Native American people were very detailed in these old stories and mythology. Traditions derive from some of these stories and expelled certain behavior through them.
Reading this blog I learned about the Wendigo that I didn't know existed it was powerful by only 3 steps a human could become a Wendigo. Wendigo represented selfiness and greed
While reading about the Wendigo myth and previous blogs it allowed me to realize how big of a presence cannibalism had in ancient cultures.
I would like to think that all myths has an underlined motive of controlling whatever narrative one would like. Because there aren't any direct links that gives a full understanding why certain cultures pratice certain rituals. Also the fact that thelack of paper trails makes it even tougher to gain more of an accurate understanding.
You're on the right track, Antione. I actually address the purpose of myths in another October blog post either in 2016 or 2015. You can read what was said there to see if and how it informs your current opinion. :)
I don't know much about this topic but i dont believe it is a myth. Maybe the belief is only for native Americans to understand and practice.
Very interesting. The only thing I knew about them came from this link. I feel this does some of the lore justice, though this description is only for a game. What so you think of interpretations like this? Do you feel such retellings are indicative of something good or bad?
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/outsiders/wendigo/
Interesting question. I have actually addressed this topic with various colleagues over the years, and generally speaking we are concerned with the fictional depiction of Native American cultures by others. Why? Because while some of the material may be factual (such as the case here) it often places Native American cultures in a negative light. Granted, the Wendigo was not a positive figure among Native Americans. However, some of the information provided in the link is not accurate and is embellished to meet the needs of the game. For someone unfamiliar with Native Americans and their diverse and unique cultures that someone may fall victim to believing incorrect information, which reinforces false and negative stereotypes.
Plus, we wander into cultural appropriation territory here where outsiders take elements of another culture and reclaim them as their own. These acts typically elevate the taker while devalue and suppress the takee. The discussions on Native American cultural depictions in video games continually demonstrate a nice try but epic fail at being respectful of Native American cultures, and unfortunately this is another example of that.
I read about this creature before and heard about it, is it true that this creature is actually blind and only responds to sound?
I'm not sure where you heard this before, but I did not encounter it in my research. I would have mentioned it otherwise.
The story of Wendigo sounds scary, untrue and should never be brought up to . I understand that it represents greed and selfishness which Native Americans do not like. - Erika Morris
I love talking this type of stuff so I know a little about the Wendigo's of the Native American mythos. The wendigo originated form stories talked about in the tribe of Algonquin they said that the wendigo's were blind creatures that were on of the creatures that created the world. They were featured in the video game Until Dawn were it pictured the Wendigo's as tall slender man like adages and blank white skin. As you can tell I love myths.
I don't know how I personally feel about this story of Wendigo it did allow me to gain more knowledge and be more familiar with the myth.
Katia Dunn
I previously had never heard the myth of the Wendigo, but it's cool to hear different cultures stories, even if they are just myths. I think sometimes these myths are made to help people understand right for wrong and how to help their descendants make the rights decisions when they grow up. -Clinton Campbell
I never heard about the myth of the Wendigo, it's kinda weird that the creature only ate humans flesh and no one never tried stopping or killing it
Taylor, there are myths about humans killing the Wendigo, but I did not cover them in this blog as I couldn't find enough source information on them to feel comfortable covering that topic. You should look into it as you have an interest. :)
This is very interesting. I never knew or heard about the myth of Wendingo. However; i will say, it is scart that it only ate human flesh. the fact that no one has ever tried to kill it, is also crazy.
- Kyla Thomas
I agree that this is scary. But at the same time, that is what makes this story effective. It teaches the children of the culture not to behave in greedy ways. It sticks in the child's mind because it is scary.
Amber Barnes
This honestly was not what I expected.I know they used the wendigo in a game called "Until Dawn" but it was more of corrupted cannibalistic miners. That makes it more of the Native American adaption. That is the only reason I know of the wendigo until now. Thank you.
Lindsey Wilkerson
After reading this blog it reminds me of how today generation always takes some one's story and makes it into there own or finds a way to take advantage of it. The natives used this story/myth of the Wendingo was to remind them what the wished not to be and to not follow there straights. It is very unfortunate and unfair that the Europeans took this story and turned it against them in a way. The fact that today the myth is completely changed to someone else's liking is very disappointing, and unfortunately isn't the first time something like this has happened.
diamond greenwood
i don't know if i have ever heard the tale of the wendigo unless i have heard a version so off from the original that i'm not even able to tell that its the same story. i feel like this type of things happen with alot of stories in fiction and in real life. basically what happened was someone heard the story and changed it a little and when that happened someone else heard it and did the same thing until the original story isn't even there anymore. i feel like that type of thing happens with fairytales as well because you see a lot of cute princess movies on disney channel but then you find out that disney watered-down and sugar coated the original story. in all honesty that's what i feel like i just witnessed someone else realizing that the story that is told has basically been watered down and tampered with. i still very much enjoyed the article because i like to hear about folklore and stories that fall in that category.
What I found in this article was that Native Americans had Myth of a creature that was a cannibal. When Europeans herd about this myth it gave them a sense of fear and by them being scared it didn't help the Native Americans. Sadly some Native Americans were killed behind this myth.
Jay Westray
I found this very interesting to read. When reading the last section about how someone can be turned into a Wendigo the last way reminded me about the witchcraft readings in class.
- Tiffany creer
This Article is weird and interesting at the same time. i find it weird that this wendigo myth is a creature eating human flesh. But is responsible for creating the world and teaching man how to live and worship the Gods. i enjoyed the article overall.
Micah Seals
This article is very weird but I like it . The most interesting thing to me is that you can be turned into a Wendigo . Also that people can take a little story and just add things into to make it something bigger than what it actually is . But I do like the meaning behind this is to not be greedy and shellfish . But they could of put it in a less scary way specially if you are telling it to a child .
- T'Liyah Townsend
First I never knew the Wendigo myth existed, but this article caught my attention. The creature eating human flesh was disturbing but the overall article was very interesting and fun to read.
Anthony Townsend
When I read this and I think about the Wendigo I compare it to the myths about Big Foot that I have heard about. You always question and wonder how these myths originated and if the person who started the myths had a legit reason for starting them, as in if the Wendigo was a real figure at the time being such as those who have "witnessed" big foot.
I have never heard of the Wendigo before this post but it is a creepy disturbing myth in my opinion. I do remember reading an article earlier in the semester about cannibalism. although cannibalism is also disturbing it is more normal since I have more knowledge of the background of cannibalism and some tribes still practice it.
-Apreshana Page
It is sad to hear that settlers used this myth in their own advantage. They took something so historic and made it unto just another tall tale that doesn't make sense. And everyone just goes along with it without truly knowing its history.
First off I definitely did not know what the meaning of a Wendigo was only until after I read this blog this whole time I thought it was a county in Illinois. But over all this was quite a interesting blog My question is why did it take for them to make up a whole mythical creature like was it really that necessary. - Mykia Chaney
The picture at the top really draws your attention in.I had never heard of the Wendigo and it is something that would be cool to learn more about. And learn why the myth has kind of gone silent. It would be cool to learn about it in early American History classes.
-Logan Shea
So North America carries this myth and deals with wendigo. I never really heard much about this tale or the truth behind its history until now.
I have observed throughout history how much the Americans like to use other cultures customs and traditions against them, to show that they are inadequate for taking care of themselves. Sometimes it just seems like the United States always felt as if they always needed to conquer someone.
I have never heard of Wendigo. All of this information is new to me and very interesting. It amazes me how we conform our thoughts and tendencies over time to fit what we need. This particular myth is dark and rather disturbing. The main trait that is carried on throughout the years is cannibalism, which is not a topic that is discussed often and is not a comfortable topic.
Kahla Perry
I have never heard of the Wendigo before this post either! I do agree with you when you said that the myth is a little creepy. I hate that this myth was used as a tool to demonize the Natives. I think that this tactic was cruel and uncaused for. this makes me wonder what other tools were used against the Natives for control purposes.
-Tonii Saffore
The image really caught my attention, though I have never heard of Wendigo, this blog was full of information and I'll be doing some research on this on my own this is very interesting. I like reading about myths and why people think they are real its very intriguing. Interesting blog.
-Tae'lor Pearson
I've heard of the wendigo but never knew much about it. It was interesting to learn that wendigos eat human flesh and that you can become one by eating human flesh. Very interesting post.
Elaine christopher
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