When you think of a mermaid, you may conjure images of a kind-hearted, beautiful half-fish, half-human or the dangerous siren that can lure sailors to their death—however, the Inuit legend of the Qalupalik is a little bit different. The Qalupalik is likewise a creature of the sea, but she is more often thought of as a water spirit, a sea monster, or a demon. In this respect, it … [Read more...] about The Qalupalik: Monsters of the Deep
inuit
Arctic Sea Serpent: The Tizheruk
Folklore on the Tizheruk There are so many cultures that have tales of Sea-Monsters—particularly of the serpent variety, that it would almost be a shock to learn that the Inuit culture didn’t possess one. It is only natural to fear what we do not know—the list of phobias that have spawned from not knowing what is there is fairly long—the dark is a prevalent one for many … [Read more...] about Arctic Sea Serpent: The Tizheruk
Inuit Spirit of Death: The Keelut
What is the Keelut? This creature is an Inuit legend, one who hunts people during the winter, but it's not actually a predator in the strictest sense--it's a spirit of the Netherworld. The Keelut (key-loot), also known as the Qiqirn (key-kern) is sometimes referenced as a spirit of death or an evil earth spirit. While it is actually a spirit, it takes the form of what some … [Read more...] about Inuit Spirit of Death: The Keelut
Is the Adlet the Werewolf of the Far North?
What is the Adlet? Not a true werewolf—but they are the closest thing you’ll see to one in Inuit folklore. The Adlet (ah-dlit), also known as the Erqigdlet (urk-kig-dlit) in Greenland, is considered the arctic counterpart of the well-known werewolf and for good reason. Although they are not shapeshifters and the moon has no effect on them, their physical appearance is … [Read more...] about Is the Adlet the Werewolf of the Far North?