At the heart of many Eskimo stories is a simple yet reoccurring theme, the struggle to survive in a very harsh environment. The Canadian Arctic is a desperately cold and unforgiving place to live. It is amazing that people are able to survive there and establish homes. Despite the many generations to live on the ice, disaster is always close at hand.
The constant struggle to survive has produced a people who's lives are dominated by fear. They are rightfully afraid of the world around them. The ice is unpredictable, the polar bears are ferocious and the is the constant threat of blizzards. In order to survive the Inuit have developed a very unique world view and set of beliefs.
In addition to the lack of a central figure there is also no belief in the afterlife or the typical heaven or hell of Western religions. This is most likely due to the fact that survival was so challenging that the people did not need to worry about what would happen to them after death. Most of the traditional stories are about fear. People were afraid of the unknown and in a such a harsh and unforgiving place there was a lot to fear.
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.
Although many modern Inuit people have made Christianity their official religion they still turn to the old ways. It may be fairer to say that they have adapted Christianity to fit in with their traditional beliefs and ways. They still keep to the old rituals and taboos.
Taboos are a central theme of the Eskimo stories. Breaking a taboo either by accident or intent was seen as a very dangerous act. It could bring the wrath of the gods down on the family or the entire community. When survival is so difficult it is not surprising that these hardy people should have such a strong belief in the spirits of their ice world.
The constant struggle to survive has produced a people who's lives are dominated by fear. They are rightfully afraid of the world around them. The ice is unpredictable, the polar bears are ferocious and the is the constant threat of blizzards. In order to survive the Inuit have developed a very unique world view and set of beliefs.
In addition to the lack of a central figure there is also no belief in the afterlife or the typical heaven or hell of Western religions. This is most likely due to the fact that survival was so challenging that the people did not need to worry about what would happen to them after death. Most of the traditional stories are about fear. People were afraid of the unknown and in a such a harsh and unforgiving place there was a lot to fear.
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.
Although many modern Inuit people have made Christianity their official religion they still turn to the old ways. It may be fairer to say that they have adapted Christianity to fit in with their traditional beliefs and ways. They still keep to the old rituals and taboos.
Taboos are a central theme of the Eskimo stories. Breaking a taboo either by accident or intent was seen as a very dangerous act. It could bring the wrath of the gods down on the family or the entire community. When survival is so difficult it is not surprising that these hardy people should have such a strong belief in the spirits of their ice world.
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