• atomicorange@lemmy.world
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    3 hours ago

    Wendigo

    It’s an Algonquin cryptid / monster with an insatiable hunger for human flesh and a love of murder. Generally greedy and evil. Also known to smell bad.

    Honors our native heritage and says something about our beloved country’s strength of character.

    • IninewCrow@lemmy.ca
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      20 minutes ago

      The more I read about it and learned about these stories as a kid from my parents and Elders … the more I realize that it is also a metaphor or life lesson about who we are as people and humanity as a whole.

      Wendigo in many legends was originally just a man or woman like you or me or anyone. They are infected or affected by a mysterious force and changed to become a hunter of people. Many of the legends talk about how Wendigo is basically just out hunting, doing things like a hunter does, tracking, following, hiding, creeping towards their prey … but the prey are humans, people, families, children, etc. They are intelligent, speak, understand, communicate, can trick people but they can also be tricked, they can also be dumb, silly, wise or completely wild.

      The metaphor is that we are all capable or prone to becoming infected with dark forces if we allow them and change us into beings that will take from others and even kill them to enrich ourselves or prolong our lives.

      Many believe that Wendigos still live and prey on people all over the world … but instead of hunting and preying on people in the forests and wilderness … they live and work in corporations and governments.