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 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.
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.
Rigid taboos and rituals are at the heart of any Inuit story. Breaking a taboo was viewed as not only shocking but also something that was likely to bring misfortune to the group. This was an extremely serious matter and is the basis for many a shocking story. Blood feuds are a favorite topic and there is none of the happy endings we are so likely to expect. Life was harsh and this is reflected in the tales from the ice.
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.
When the story of Atanarjuat made it to the big screen viewers were amazed by the movie. It drew rave reviews from all around the globe. Audiences finally had the chance to see how profound and complex the Eskimo stories actually were. They were able to touch the hearts and souls of people from all over the world. In fact it was hailed as a breath of fresh air in a very jaded industry. The actors were all Inuit and this gave it an incredible level of authenticity.
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.
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.
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.
Rigid taboos and rituals are at the heart of any Inuit story. Breaking a taboo was viewed as not only shocking but also something that was likely to bring misfortune to the group. This was an extremely serious matter and is the basis for many a shocking story. Blood feuds are a favorite topic and there is none of the happy endings we are so likely to expect. Life was harsh and this is reflected in the tales from the ice.
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.
When the story of Atanarjuat made it to the big screen viewers were amazed by the movie. It drew rave reviews from all around the globe. Audiences finally had the chance to see how profound and complex the Eskimo stories actually were. They were able to touch the hearts and souls of people from all over the world. In fact it was hailed as a breath of fresh air in a very jaded industry. The actors were all Inuit and this gave it an incredible level of authenticity.
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.
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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