Inuit beliefs & Traditions
The Inuit have a deep, spiritual and loving bond with animals; the killing of an animal was considered a ritual, killing to survive and worshipping the spirits of the animals. Not only did they have a respect for animals, but also the natural environment in general. There is a deep respect and wariness of the power and unpredictability of natural forces. They live in an environment of extreme climate, occasionally lit by the unearthly magical lights of the Aurora Borealis.
Inuit children are given a special perspective because of the age-old belief that children embody the souls of dead relatives and so they are not commonly reprimanded.
To the Inuit, there are good and bad spirits. Family members may be cursed with bad spirits and so there are special rituals checking to see if a bad spirit is present. They believe a burst of joyful song may draw out bad spirits. Magical charms and talismans also form a part of a person's defense against bad spirits or forces. Any small object can function as an amulate, while an Angakok (shaman) offers defense for a group. The Angakok can be female, male or child, as long as they possess the knowledge and power to control the spirits. The Inuit believe that the Angakok have the potential to transport to the heavens, into other worlds, or even the bottom of the sea, if spiritual needs demand. The Angakok also has the power to transform into animals and to sense events from afar.
Masks are the final key element of the Inuit belief system. Masks, painted with the spirits of dogs (or anything connected with journeys), are mainly the ceremonial attire of the Angakok. The Angakok dances in honour of the spirits to assure hunting success, to enact a trip to the spirit world or to simply dance as a symbolic blessing of the village.
Traditional Inuit beliefs are bound up in the spiritual web of humans interacting with animals interacting with the environment. Their belief system reflects a deep love and respect for their world and environment.
Inuit children are given a special perspective because of the age-old belief that children embody the souls of dead relatives and so they are not commonly reprimanded.
To the Inuit, there are good and bad spirits. Family members may be cursed with bad spirits and so there are special rituals checking to see if a bad spirit is present. They believe a burst of joyful song may draw out bad spirits. Magical charms and talismans also form a part of a person's defense against bad spirits or forces. Any small object can function as an amulate, while an Angakok (shaman) offers defense for a group. The Angakok can be female, male or child, as long as they possess the knowledge and power to control the spirits. The Inuit believe that the Angakok have the potential to transport to the heavens, into other worlds, or even the bottom of the sea, if spiritual needs demand. The Angakok also has the power to transform into animals and to sense events from afar.
Masks are the final key element of the Inuit belief system. Masks, painted with the spirits of dogs (or anything connected with journeys), are mainly the ceremonial attire of the Angakok. The Angakok dances in honour of the spirits to assure hunting success, to enact a trip to the spirit world or to simply dance as a symbolic blessing of the village.
Traditional Inuit beliefs are bound up in the spiritual web of humans interacting with animals interacting with the environment. Their belief system reflects a deep love and respect for their world and environment.