Inuit Mythology Essay - 841 words

Inuit Mythology Inuit mythology is different from the rest of world mythologies in one main way Inuit people believe in it as if it were a religion. All in all, it can be called a combination of shamanism and animism as far as Inuit people believe that everything on Earth has its soul. The basis of their mythology is first of all formed by three main figures: the Sun, the Moon and the Sea. The Sun and the Moon are very much connected in Inuit mythology as well as in real life. The Sun goddess, Malina, is believed to be the Moon gods sister. According to the myth, Malina and her brother Anningan grew up together and used to play games but things changed as they became older one night as they played in the dark, Anningan raped his sister.


Malina tried to push him away; they started to fight and accidentally overturned a seal-oil lamp. Malinas hands were all dirty and she spread the dirt all over her brothers face and ran away far to the skies and became the Sun. Her brother chased her and became the Moon. From time to time the Moon manages to catch the Sun and rape her, causing solar eclipse. The Moon god is so much obsessed with the idea to catch his sister that he even forgets to it, thats why he becomes thinner and thinner day by day. Once in a month he disappears for three days to have meals but always returns to chase his sister this is the Inuit explanation of the phases of the Moon. The Sun and the Moon hate each other as well as people of the opposite sex. That is why it is considered incorrect if men go out during the solar eclipse and women during the lunar eclipse. The spirit of the sea is very important in Inuit mythology as well as the people depend on the sea for food and they believe that the success of their hunting depends on the unpredictable mood of the spirit of the sea Sedna.


As described in myths, Sedna was a young girl, who refused to marry anyone and was forced to marry a dog in punishment. When she gave birth to her five children, her father, who arranged the marriage, felt sorry for her and drowned the dog. Poor Sedna was unable to support her children without their father, so she left them and started living with her parents. Once a bird disguised as a man sought Sedna in marriage. She started living with him, but when she discovered her husband was a fulmar, she decided to leave with h ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: inuit, mythology, people believe, the girl, solar eclipse

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