Author: Jakovia Adams
The wendigo
(also
known as windigo, weendigo, windago, waindigo, windiga, witiko, wihtikow,
and numerous other names) is a demonic spirit
believed by Algonquin-based Native American tribes to possess humans and turn
them into cannibals. The term "Wendigo” is used to describe an evil spirit
as well as a creature that humans can become when possessed by the spirit
(Kingaton). Many legends and stories have circulated over the years
about a mysterious creature that was encountered by hunters and campers in the
forests.
The Wendigo |
The Wendigo legend was prevalent in the
northern United States, Northern Minnesota and Canada, and particularly roamed around woods and
forests in the coldest areas where food was scarce and survival was
challenging. But, Kenora, Canada is the place most known for its Wendigo
sightings (Colombo). In one variation of the story, the creature could only be
seen if it faced the witness head-on, because it was so thin that it could not
be seen from the side. Though all of the descriptions of the creature vary
slightly, the Wendigo is generally said to have glowing eyes, long yellowed
fangs and overly long tongues. Most have a sallow, yellowish skin but others
are said to be matted with hair. They are tall and lanky and are driven by a
horrible hunger. The spirit was said to have a big appetite for human flesh and
the many forest dwellers who disappeared over the years were said to be victims
of the monster. “They’re hundreds of years old. Each one was once a man.
Sometimes an Indian, other times a frontiersman or a miner or a hunter.”
(Colombo)
According to lore, the
Wendigo is created whenever a human resorts to cannibalism. During some harsh
winter a guy finds himself starving, cut off from supplies or help he becomes a
cannibal to survive, eating other members of his tribe or camp(Haden). Cultures
all over the world believe that eating human flesh gives a person certain
abilities such as speed, strength, and immortality. If you eat enough of it,
over years, you become this less than human thing. Wendigos are said to be very
hard to kill. The Wendigo have few weakness, as far as weapons are concerned it
can only be killed by iron, steel and silver. The most gruesome method of
disposal is by shattering the creature’s ice heart with a silver stake and then
dismembering the body with a silver axe(Kingston).
Works Cited:
Colombo, John. Windigo:
An Anthology of Fact and Fantastic Fiction. Canda. Modern Press. 1936. Print.
Haden, Blackman. The
Wendigo: The North Woods of Minnesota. prairieghosts.com. Troy
Taylor. 2002. 17 October 2012.
Kingston, W.H.G. “Adventures among the Indians.” Pararesearshers.org. John W.
Lovell company.1888.Web.
12 October 2012.
Medals, Henry. Wendigo.
Photograph. http://monster.wikia.com/wiki/Wendigo,
22 February 2010. Web. 17 October 2012.
Links for further research:
This article gives information about the Wendigo and
also talks about people giving speeches about the creature.
This website gives you more insight on the Windigo
This website compares the Wendigo to other creatures
like Bigfoot.
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