#witiko

[thecreaturecodex]

Monster Art History: The Wendigo

You may be wondering why the wendigo, which has become very popular in pop culture over the last 10 years or so, is usually depicted in Western sources with a deer head. This appears nowhere in Native American traditions, despite the creature having lots of folkloric variations. The association of the wendigo with deer is 100% Western, 100% modern, and has a long, weird history.

Just in case you need a primer, the windigo or witiko is a supernatural being from the Algonquin speaking nations of the eastern American continent. It appears as an emaciated figure, sometimes giant, sometimes covered in ice, sometimes both. In many stories, they have a literal heart of ice. Windigos are manifestations of cannibalism and winter, and hunt, kill and eat people. Someone who resorts to cannibalism to survive, or otherwise abandons their community for personal gain, will become one of them. A few stories tell of someone being “cured” and turned back into a human, but usually the only cure is to kill the monster. In the last several decades, native writers have  associated windigos with capitalism and deforestation as an extension of their selfishness. If you would like to know more about the properly Native windigo in context, I recommend Dangerous Spirits: The Windigo in Myth and History by Shawn Smallman.

The creature first came into horror fiction with Algernon Blackwood’s “The Wendigo”. Note the spelling, which would become the standard in horror, and generally in non-academic Western sources. In that story, it is not associated with cannibalism, but instead is a more generic “evil spirit of nature”. This wendigo stalks white people in the wilderness and turns a Native character into a new wendigo by seizing them and flying with them into the sky. This definitely better fits fears about non white people, fears about nature, and how the one is closer to the other than “civilized” people. Its description in the story is vague (the most we get is that it has burned its feet away by running into the sky). But when the story appeared in Weird Tales in the 1930s, Virgil Finlay illustrated it like this, the first antlered wendigo I know of.

This story was ripped off by August Derleth, a prominent Weird author in the 1940s and the main popularizer of HP Lovecraft. In his Cthulhu Mythos stories, he introduces Ithaqua the Wind Walker, which is an alien version of Blackwood’s monster. This fits into Derleth’s vision of the gods and monsters of HP Lovecraft falling into the four classical elements, with Ithaqua being invented to represent Air. Ithaqua is usually depicted as an icy, emaciated giant, so ironically is one of the more accurate wendigos to Indigeonous beliefs in pop culture.

Image from a recent French edition of Call of Cthulhu RPG, by Loic Muzy

In Pet Sematary, Stephen King uses a wendigo as the reason for why the titular cemetery is cursed. This is an update of the classic racist trope of the “Indian Burial Ground”, except this time what gets buried there comes back animalistic and evil. The racist implications of that are pretty apparent. This wendigo is seen briefly and has ram’s horns. It does not appear in the first film adaptation, but does in the more recent one... with deer horns instead, because those are trendy right now.

A good scholarly look at the real windigo versus the 20th century horror wendigo is “The Appropriation of the Windigo Spirit in Horror Literature” by Kallie Hunchman.

In the 1980s, a movie called Frostbiter: Wrath of the Wendigo was produced, but it wasn’t released until 1995 by Troma. From what I’ve read, it’s a pretty transparent ripoff of Evil Dead 2, with the characters being picked off in a haunted cabin with a zombie in the basement. The “twist” is that the origin of the horrors is a wendigo released by breaking a Christian demonology-style sacred circle. This wendigo is realized in stop motion animation, and has the most deer-like body yet.

A number of other independent horror movies in the 90s and 2000s used wendigos as a plot element. These follow the Blackwood/King approach of having the wendigo being something evil, ancient and Native American, reflecting white anxieties about living on stolen land more than Native anxieties about cannibalism and greed. Wendigo (2001) has the creature sicced on a white family when they hit a deer with their car. The Last Winter (2006) posits that global warming and fossil fuel extraction have unleashed the ghosts of dead animals, which are wendigo apparently, to revenge themselves on mankind. Which approaches the idea that greed is wendigo sickness, but I don’t think intentionally as a reference to modern Native literature. The “wendigo” in this movie are spectral moose and caribou.

The mainstream breakthrough of the deer-headed wendigo was in, appropriately enough for this blog, Pathfinder RPG. In “Spires of Xin-Shalast”, the last volume of Rise of the Runelords published in 2008, a wendigo is a major encounter. I suspect that either the author (Greg A. Vaughn), or one of the editorial staff had seen Frostbiter, as the setup involves a cabin haunted by dwarven cannibal ghosts who all killed and ate each other due to a wendigo’s influence. This wendigo is a hybrid of the Blackwood and Cree versions in terms of its MO: it is a cannibal ice spirit that wants to make more cannibals, and does so by abducting people and running off into the sky with them. Its design is the standard for what most Western artists depict wendigos as these days: an emaciated humanoid with the head and antlers of a deer (and the burned off feet of Algernon Blackwood, which are less common):

Image by Tyler Walpole, © Paizo Publishing

This wendigo definitely made a splash at the time; it was the first time I remember seeing a deer-headed wendigo, and art of that design started to become common. It pushed away previous wendigo depictions, which were typically werewolves (as French Canadian trappers had blended the concept with their own loup-garou, and Werewolf the Apocalypse had a whole faction of racist Native American “wendigos”) or shaggy and ape like (based more on the look of the Marvel Comics villain). 

What turned wendigos from “folklore/horror monster” to “fandom blorbo” was Hannibal, which first aired in 2013. In that series, the first murder is a woman’s body impaled on a stag’s head, after which protagonist Will Graham has visions of a black stag, and a man with the antlers of a stag, representing murder, evil, and of course the cannibalistic murderer Hannibal Lecter.

Since Hannibal was super popular with the shipping fandom set, wendigo themed characters became popular in its wake, creating a wholly new way to culturally appropriate the wendigo. This was magnified by Over the Garden Wall, which came out in 2014, and its villain The Beast. The Beast is never called a wendigo, but is an antlered giant associated with winter, and so is commonly head-canoned as a wendigo and associated with them in fandom circles.

Which gets us to the modern day, where teenagers have misunderstood wendigo OCs, any character with antlers can be called a wendigo on the internet, and actual First Nations people with an actual cultural connection to the legend wish that people would just knock it off.

#and now you know #wendigo #windigo #witiko #creature design #art history #pathfinder rpg #algernon blackwood #august derleth #cthulhu mythos #stephen king #b movies #stop motion #hannibal #native american #first nations #cultural appropriation #long post

[mamashenanigans]

So, here’s the opening scene for my entry for OFA October. I have a flashback scene written after this one, but now I’m stumped. I have an idea of how this’ll play out but I could use some encouraging words. Lol

This is from my horror AFO & Yoichi AU one-shot where AFO becomes a heavily implied variation of Wendigo(but never explicitly said in the story).

Since I’ve already had one comment about it: This story is actually being written with the help of an indigenous person whose people have their own legends. They are more knowledgeable about the Cree and Métis legends. Not every indigenous tribe views the Wendigo as sacred.

This person has helped me with the variations and their people called it witiko or kaamoowachik. The one in the story doesn’t follow any particular tribes’ legend(suggested by the person helping me as that would cause an issue with sacredness) and is more of an amalgamation of the general variations and stays more true to the physical characteristics versus Hollywood’s version.

This is why I worked with this person to achieve an acceptable interpretation of the creature and did research prior to starting. As stated: what AFO becomes is never specifically referred to as the titular creature but is heavily implied. There’s no tired trope of Yoichi doing meager research from a dusty old book nor seeking out a random indigenous elder to figure everything out—all of which done to death in Hollywood’s strange perception of this.

(I’m on mobile and can’t figure out the “Click to Read More option)

—————

SMACK

Yoichi jolted at the start of another night of rhythmic threats. The solid oak door that stood oppressively above him still dispersed once invisible dust from the force of the blow, the minuscule particles only lit by the hefty mag light that has sat dutifully at his side every night of his vigilant watch. He must have started to doze off, a terrifying action in itself, but one that, according to the expensive gifted Rolex on his wrist, was short lived.

He had become obsessed with staring at the fingers of the expensive watch. He kept tabs of practically every second as it was the only thing that gave him any sense of control over his perilous predicament. It gave him a sense of ease that was matched by the blessed rising of the sun, though overcast as it has been during this long, hateful winter. Only the sun brought a bit of warmth over this now wretched mansion, a home once beloved and full of laughter and lengthy conversations over their shared enjoyment of comic books and the fantastical.

The fantastical had turned into reality only a few nights ago and there was no merriment that it imparted. Instead, just as when the sun fell behind the spooked trees and haunted mountain peaks, leaving him alone to deal with what lay behind that heavily locked oak door, the fantastical now left him with fear, agony, and a terrifying bone-deep chill.

A chill that always heralds the sound of the beast beyond the tall, wooden portal.

The beast that is his brother.

SMACK

Yoichi pushed himself straight against the hallway wall with a kick of his foot and tried desperately to even his breath. Small clouds puffed in front of his face and he hurriedly pulled the piled blankets tighter around his body. He then grasped the heavy shotgun he had retrieved from his brother’s study, a ceremonial action now, as he wasn’t sure he knew how to use the damnable thing and hated how he incessantly questioned himself if he even would if he could. It was merely a tool of comfort at this point, more a security blanket than the actual ones that hung off his thin form.

The cold still creeped beyond their fibers and rooted its way into him.

“Bro-brother! Please…please stop,” he cried in response. This pitiful demand, repeated nightly, only caused him to let out phlegm coated coughs.

An achingly slow scratch upon the otherside of the door answered back before the strange, overlapping upon itself voice of his brother filtered through.

“Sick? Let me out. I help. I always help.”

Yoichi shuddered and hastily covered his ears in anguish. Not from the sound of the beast’s voice, but from the truth of his words. Or atleast, a truth that was once a cornerstone of their relationship.

And what caused this nightmare.

#all for one #afo #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #yoichi shigaraki #bnha afo #mha fanfiction #bnha au #bnha fanfiction #fanfiction #mha au #bnha fic #bnha yoichi #first one for all user #mha fic #horror #fic snippet #ofa october #one for all october

[messenger-of-stupidity]

One word.

Wendigos.

Okay thank you for coming to my TED TALK

HAHAHAHAHHA YEAH RIGHT 

I have more about wendigos because I have a problem. No yall dont get to know what the problem is. That’s a secret for the winner of the hunt

pleasesendhelpihaventsleptfor27hours

FIVE FUN FACTS ABOUT WENDIGOS WITH MESSENGER!

1) It has Native American origin. Specifically the Native American tribes that spoke Algonquin (A dialect of Ojibwa spoken by the Algonquins. Which, if you didn’t know, are the Indigenous people living in Canada along the Ottawa River and its tributaries and westward to the north of Lake Superior.) The other tribes that had the wendigo in their folklore are the Saulteaux, the Cree, the Ojibwe, the Naskapi,  and the Innu (if I remember the last two right. Like I said, getting really sleep deprived and this is from memory. But I need to get it out of my brain and on here because I have the aforementioned problem.)

2) It has several names! They all are like some variation of Wendigo though. But the names are; Windigo, Witigo, Witiko, and Wee-Tee-Go. All of these roughly translate to “the evil spirit that devours mankind.”

3) As with most folklore, depending on the legend, the appearance of the Wendigo changes. But some describe the wendigo as an emaciated figure with ashen flesh. Others describe it as a giant creature up to 15 feet (4.5 metres) tall or as a beast that grows larger the more it eats. It may have sunken or glowing eyes and sharp yellowed fangs and claws. There are some that say it’s may appear as a monster with some human characteristics or as a spirit who has possessed a human being and made them monstrous. 3a) The Algonquian legend describes it as: “a giant with a heart of ice; sometimes, it is thought to be entirely made of ice. Its body is skeletal and deformed, with missing lips and toes.”  3b) The Ojibwa describe it as: “It was a large creature, as tall as a tree, with a lipless mouth and jagged teeth. Its breath was a strange hiss, its footprints full of blood, and it ate any man, woman, or child who ventured into its territory. And those were the lucky ones. Sometimes, the Wendigo chose to possess a person instead, and then the luckless individual became a Wendigo himself, hunting down those he had once loved and feasting upon their flesh.”

4) I know what you’re thinking. Wow Messenger! How does a wendigo possess a human? Going back to that whole “spirit that devours mankind” thing, keep that in your mind along with possession. Now, a wendigo is historically associated with cannibalism, murder, insatiable greed, and cultural taboos against such behaviors. Those kind of things might devour your humanity, and if you exhibit such behaviors, you must be possessed by a wendigo! Although they are called the Flesheaters of the Forest for a reason soooo.. devouring is in the literal sense as well.

5) A legit medical condition borrowed the name Wendigo! It’s called Wendigo psychosis. Some psychiatrists consider it a syndrome that creates an intense craving for human flesh and a fear of becoming a cannibal. Ironically, this psychosis occurs in people living around the Great Lakes of Canada and the United States. Wendigo psychosis usually develops in the winter in individuals isolated by heavy snow for long periods. The initial symptoms are poor appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Subsequently, the individual develops a delusion of being transformed into a Wendigo monster. People who have Wendigo psychosis increasingly see others around them as being edible. At the same time, they have an exaggerated fear of becoming cannibals.The most common response when a person showed signs of Wendigo psychosis was a curing attempt by traditional native healers. In past cases, if these attempts failed and the possessed person began to threaten those around them or to act violently or anti-socially, they were executed. There have been reports regarding this psychosis dating back hundreds of years (as far back as 1661).

#messy rambles #messenger of folklore #ig #wendigo #windigo #native american folklore #its actually hella fascinating #the original wendigo #the wendigo from video games and shit are fun too #but reading the actual legends #i figure out i liked it during halloween last year #have been hooked ever since #my friends are scared of windigos though #so i cant talk to them about it #which is kinda sad #but whatever #ill just post about it on tumblr #also if youre reading this #congrats #you won the hunt #so you got to know what the problem was

[the-queen-of-sorrows]

Iska - Canadian Wizarding School

To whoever reads this - if anyone actually does - this work is purely fiction and comes from my own brain.

I was disheartened that there were no official Canadian school for wizards in the Harry Potter world and decided to create my own to maybe, one day, use in fanfics. I know that there is a wiki page on a Canadian school called Whitestar, but there are no references and frankly, I like my version better. The locations are real and the creatures and names I used are based on the Cree people, the largest Indigenous group in Canada.

NAME

Iska Magic School (Iska is a Plains Cree word meaning: It seems - through dream or magic). Iska was used because it represented what natives experienced when they first showed signs of magic as children.

SCHOOL DESCRIPTION

A giant, teepee-like structure with traditional native patterns etched on the sides, each level has a different pattern and the top is made entirely out of glass which can be lowered. Wigwam structures extend in the direction of the four coordinates as sleeping quarters for the students. North for the Peshu, East for the Rektena, South for the Gishi and West for the Witiko.

LOCATION 

North East in the Province of Manitoba.

Coordinates: 57.053187, -92.303757

Where the Hudson Bay splits into the Nelson River and Hayes River, around the protruding landmass just south of Wapusk National Park, known as Marsh Point.

HOW TO ENTER THE SCHOOL 

The entrance is located north of the York Factory National Historic Site, at the end of a long, thin, winding plank walkway longing the Hayes River. Once at the end, large, enchanted canoes transport the kids by flying (or rowing as the ores make rowing motions) to the coordinates mentioned above. The trip takes three hours.

ORIGIN/HISTORY  

In Canada, before there was magic, there was shapeshifting – commonly known as lycanthropy or transforming into werewolves. Many indigenous groups in the land were afflicted with the 'disease', but to the Cree and other tribes, it was seen as an honour to be ‘chosen’ to become a lycanthrope. They are the only magical group which accepts lycanthropes and has given them equal rights to Isaknies (Magicals – or Wizards as they are called by Anglos) and Naturals (Normies or Muggles).

The school was founded in 1501 under the region's Cree Chief Askuwheteau Isak Mingan (Name meaning: He keeps watch, it seems, through dream or magic over the grey wolf) as many shifters began experiencing magic. It was small and relatively obscure, secluded from other tribes and Indigenous groups. It had one group of students of all ages, taught by the Chief who was said to have been given all knowing powers by the ancestors.

After the French began colonizing the Quebec region in the early 17th century – including a few disgraced wizards and witches – many sought the protection of the Northern Manitoban Cree tribe for fear of percussion in a time when witch trials were rampant in North America. Iska took them all in and taught the French Canadians the ways of the Iskanies, assimilating them in their culture and way of life. Iskanies and French Canadians mixed well and the school grew and grew even throughout the British conquest and the shift in political and religious climate.

Quickly, during the period of the French, a werewolf sanctuary was created next to the school to assure their wellbeing and freedom; it was looked after by the school’s head and tribe chief. The harmonious relationship between werewolves and Magicals in Canada grew, as Magicals or Iskanies of French descent researched lycanthropy and found a way, without the use of potions, to lessen pain and loss of memory during the full moon period. And over the course of history, Iska Magical School became known over the Wizarding world as the Lycanthrope and ‘half-breed’ experts.

The British weren’t as welcomed to Iska as the French Canadians had been over a century and a half prior, as they tried to push their views and education on the Iskanies, especially their prejudice over lycanthropy. But because the English wizards coming to Canada had nowhere else to go, they were forced to adhere to Iska policies and way of life, which had developed into a way of peace, acceptance and equality.

Over time, the British, just like the French Canadians, mixed in with Iska Cree ways and sought the expansion of the school.

SPECIALTIES

Iska’s specialty lies in Magical Creatures and their care, Animagus and ‘Half-Breeds’. It is renowned for its sanctuaries and equality policies. Creatures from all over the world come to Iska Magical School for protection and acceptance. Around the school, there are many communities for beasts such as for Centaurs and Merpeople as well as for beings such as Vampires, Acromantulas, Manticores, Sphinx, Erklings and Hags and others who are allowed to live their lives without fear.

HOUSES

Gishi (Feather Emblem)

From the mythical indigenous creature Mannegishi, depicted as a tiny human frog-like creature.

House Colours: Burgundy and Orange

Traits:

Mischievous with a chaotic nature

Known as reckless and loud, their bravery is unmatched as they tend to act first and think later

Strong moral compass, they tend to see the world mainly as black and white

They are not the type to buckle under peer pressure and believe in themselves and their capabilities

Witiko (Tree Emblem)

From the mythical creature Wendigo, a demonic half-beast

House Colours: Dark Teal and Taupe

Traits:

Reserved and on the colder side, they do not like large crowds or attention and are mistrustful of those who do

Sharp-witted and quick on their feet

Scheming and crafty. These people are methodical and plan in great detail before they act or make a decision

Hungry for knowledge

Peshu (Panther Emblem)

From the mythical creature Mishipeshu, an underwater panther

House Colours: Black and Purple

Traits:

Protective and territorial

They believe in honesty and value an honourable way of life

Family oriented and loyal

They possess an elegance and charisma that tends to attract others, they tend to be good in positions of leadership, power and respect

Rektena (Rose Emblem)

Made up creature, plant-like nymph covered in thorns and roses

House Colours: Navy and Sky Blue

Traits:

Calm and collected, creative and perfectionist

They tend to be in their heads a lot, getting lost in their thoughts. They also have a habit of keeping their true thoughts and feelings to themselves, making them difficult to decipher.

Their preferred company is themselves and/or a small and carefully selected group of people

Independent and level-headed, they are often seen as the voice of reason and wise

CANADIAN MINISTRY AND WORLD

The ministry of Canadian Magic, unlike its Natural counterparts, is not located in Ottawa, the country's capital. It is actually located further north, below the Coats Island in the Hudson Bay. At the south of the capital, there is no wall, which means the brownish green of the Bay can be seen by all, as well as the swimming creatures that reside within the depths of the Hudson. The Minister of Magic in Canada is called a Chieftain and traditionally, the position is held by descendants of Chief Askuwheteau Isak Mingan. The Iskanie government and population, more often than not, stay out of international conflict and have very little contact with other wizarding communities; which is why little is known about the Canadian Magical World as well as its community and school. 

!!FEEL FREE TO USE IN YOUR STORIES BUT DO NOT TAKE CREDIT!!

#Harry Potter #hp fandom #wizarding world #Wizarding World #Canada #indigenous #harry potter fandom #wizarding schools

[ilentari]

So which of your All for One's would be interested in a marriage? 😳😳😳 asking for a friend btw

Well. Most of my AFOs are either married or recently widowed.

Vampire Hisashi isn’t interested, but he’s also very easy to bully, so you could try and be pushy with him. Watch out for his feral adopted son though. If you make vampire Hisashi unhappy his son might try and end you :(

Absolutely would not recommend “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” AFO. A little too sadistic and cruel, life would not be fun—and that’s if he didn’t murder you off the bat.

Witiko AFO might eat you.

Corpse AFO is very much still grieving over his previous wife. You could give him a try, but he might constantly compare you to Kaori. Still. He does want family, so I’d say he’s your best bet.

The Jekyll/Hyde AU AFO actually might be interested. You’d have to convince him, and not mind the abuse you’d be putting up with, but he might be swayed that a second parent is good for Izuku. Maybe. He also might get jealous of someone else taking Izuku’s attention away. It’s a gamble.

“All For (Grand) Son” AFO is single. Doesn’t mean he’s interested in marriage but it does mean you have a chance. Hope you’re okay with Izuku’s potato faced grandpa!

Whoever you go for, good luck!

#bnha #asks #all for one #afo

[deadnightcoffeetime]

The Monster Of Willow Creek (Tales Of Horror Segment 2) (COPY RIGHT) Page 23

A knock on the occurs, Sarah opens the door. It’s Ezhno. “Ezhno, what’s wrong?”, said Sarah. Ezhno enters the house, then Sarah closes the door. “First off, is John here?”, said Ezhno. “Yes, he’s in the dining room.”, said Sarah. “Let’s go to the dining room, I got som news to tell you ad John.”, said Ezhno. Both are walking to the dining room, as they enter, John is eating leftover turkey and sides. John sees Sarah and Ezhno walking in the dining room. “Ezhno, are you okay?”, said John. Ezhno replies, as he, and Sarah sits at the table. “I got some news to tell you both.”. Ezhno takes out his phone. “First off, let me show you a picture. Have you two seen this before, during the camping trip?”, said Ezhno. He shows the picture of the imprinted hand print on the tree, to John and Sarah. Both Sarah and John, looks at each other, not knowing what it is. “No. We never seen anything like that. Why?”, said Sarah. “This morning, I had a good friend of mine examine this picture, and what he said was an unpleasant answer. He knows what made this hand print, because he’d encountered it before.”, said Ezhno. “Encountered what?”, said John. “Remember that creature hat you two encountered?”, said Ezhno. “Yes..”, said Sarah and John. “The creature that you two encountered was a wendigo.”, said Ezhno. “A wendigo?!”, said John. “Yes.”, said Ezhno. “But, it’s just a old legend. It’s not real.”, said John. “Do you remember when we we just kids, and we asked them, what was the most terrifying creature in our culture? And their answer was an old legend called the wendigo. But, mom and dad never explained what was a wendigo and we were told to forget about it.”, said Ezhno. “Yeah, but, since they’ve never explained it, how do you know if it’s really a wendigo?”,, said Sarah. “When my friend reintroduced me what it was, I did research on it. Remember the features of it?”, said Ezhno. “Yes, the tall, boney, long limbs, hairy, and antlers with animalistic roars. Oh, and claws.”, said Sarah. “All that you said, it’s a wendigo, except it’s not hairy.”, said Ezhno. “What else?”, said John. “Yes. A wendigo is a evil spirit, or evil that devours. It’s a cannibalistic tall humanoid, a person who has been transformed into a monster by the consumption of human flesh. And lastly, they’re usually found, or live in forests.”, said Ezhno. “Like the one that John and I, were at long time ago?”, said Sarah. “Exactly.”, said Ezhno. John and Sarah are surprised about the news, letting it sink in.

The guys are still throwing football to each other, Leon is standing next to the creek, just looking at it, the girls are just talking and reminiscing, and Alyana is reading the book, reading more info of the wendigo. On the page next to the picture of the wendigo, it describes the monster. She reads the page to herself.

The windigo, sometimes spelled wendigo or weendigo, is believed to be the spirit of winter and a symbol of the dangers of selfishness. Although beliefs vary, the windigo is generally considered a horrifying entity with an insatiable taste for human flesh. Known by several names — Windigo, Witigo, Witiko, and Wee-Tee-Go — each roughly translates to “the evil spirit that devours mankind.” This creature has long been known among the Algonquian Ojibwe, Eastern Cree, Saulteaux, Westmain Swampy Cree, Naskapi, and Innu peoples.”

“In most versions of the legend, a human becomes a windigo after his or her spirit is corrupted by greed or weakened by extreme conditions, such as hunger and cold. In other legends, humans become windigos when possessed by a prowling spirit during a moment of weakness. Other sayings, In most traditions, the wendigo is human in origin and becomes a monster through a process that results either from acts of starvation-induced cannibalism or from possession by a spirit “

“In modern psychiatry the wendigo lends its name to a form of psychosis known as "Wendigo psychosis", which is characterized by symptoms such as an intense craving for human flesh and an intense fear of becoming a cannibal. Wendigo psychosis is described as a culture-bound syndrome. Other sayings, Introduction: Wendigo psychosis is considered an endemic psychiatric disorder associated with culture. It manifests through compulsive, strong attacks of cannibalistic behaviors. It mainly concerns Algonquian: Cree tribes and people living in the Northern Ojibwa area.”

“The looks of a wendigo is very repulsive. Some legends say the wendigo is an emaciated figure with ashen flesh. Others describe it as a giant creature up to 15 feet (4.5 metres) tall or as a beast that grows larger the more it eats. It may have sunken or glowing eyes and sharp yellowed fangs, claws, boney, and some have antlers.”

“If a wendigo scratch, or bite, do not worry. Despite being undead-seeming mutant humans, Wendigos are not zombies, nor do they have an infectious bite; a person bitten by a Wendigo will not become one due to the attack, only if they eat human flesh while a Wendigo spirit is free to possess them.”

“The wendigo has Superhuman strength and speed. The consumption of human flesh gives a wendigo the ability to tear humans limb from limb as well as incredible speed, making them incredibly stealth hunters. Voice mimicry. Wendigos can imitate human voices to lure prey. Other sayings, Superhuman Strength: Wendigos are exceptionally strong, even by monster terms, and grow incredibly stronger as the full moon approaches. They can tear humans apart limb from limb with without effort, snap necks and carry two people at once and even drag them up a tree with ease.”

“In order to kill a wendigo, these are the only 2 ways to kill the monster. First, for the beginners, if you want to fight the Wendigo, you must destroy its heart. You can use the silver-tipped bullet or arrow to weaken the monster (ordinary bullets will take no effect), but it will not destroy the heart due to its thick layer of ice that's protecting it. Second, is fire. Burning the.Wendigo will automatically kill the monster. Due to its skin being sensitive to heat.”

“Wendigos mostly prefers to live in dark places, such as caves and mineshafts.”.

“If you encounter a Wendigo and you do not have any of the items or any self- defense weaponry, you can keep them away from you by using the Anasazi symbols.”

She then moves to the next page, reading Anasazi symbols. The symbols from first to the last are explained.

1. Spirited, Living Thing 14. Ground Level

2. Spirit or Manito. 15. Earth

3. Great Spirit. 16. Homeland

4. Island, Land. 17. Body of Water

5. Cold. 18. Rising Sun

6. Fire (council fire). 19. An establishment

7. Capital. 20. Town

8. Difficulty, Danger. 21. Prosperity

9. Ancient Landscape (Algonquian) Person 22. War

10. Modern Lenape Chief. 23. Holy Man

11. Lenape Person. 24. Strong Chief

12. Snake (Enemy). 25. Iroquois

13. Talege (Moundbuilder). 26. White Man

Alyana then sees the symbols in a circular shape, like the the one she saw earlier in the morning.

Underneath the list of the Anasazi symbols, also shows how to make a circle to protect you. The circle is made from the first symbol to the twelfth symbol. The wendigo can not attack anyone once inside the circle.

Michelle and Becky looks at Alyana. “Aly, you’ve been quiet for a while. Are you okay?”, said Becky. “Yeah, I’m okay. Just reading a book.”, said Alyana. “Is it for class?”, said Becky. “No. My mom gave me this book, right before I left my parents house. She said to take for protection, in case something happens. So, I just thought I’d bring it to pass the time and read it.”, said Alyana. Becky Chuck;les, then takes a sip of her beer. “Protection?”, said Becky. “Yup.”, said Alyana. “Protection from what?”, said Becky. Becky takes another sip, as Michelle speaks out. “What’s the book about?”. “The book is about mythical monsters and spirits, from my culture. It’s basically a how to guide to protect yourself, and what are the necessary steps, whenever you encounter one of these ,ousters and spirits, and how to kill and stop them.”, said Alyana. “Sounds interesting.”, said Michelle. “And to answer your question Becky, remember what I told you about my mom and uncle’s encounter?”, said Alyana. “Yeah?”, said Becky.

[nahazdan]

What is Nahazdan?

Nahazdan is a world unlike the one we inhabit. It is the fourth, but not the final, attempt the spirits have made to build a perfect world. It is build atop the previous three, unseen layers that hold the previous failed attempts. The first was formed by Tawa, the sun, the first spirit. He molded it from endless space into an inhabitable earth. It was inhabited by the first Dził: strange, insectoid creatures who lived unhappily in caves. Tawa saw their displeasure and sent the Spider Grandmother, the second spirit, to lead them to a new world. Some stayed behind, either because of lethargy, or because of distrust.

The second was built by the Spider Grandmother, to protect those she brought out of the first world. These beings evolved into a new races and species of Dził, which were called by many names. The Ahkyeli'skï, who had the likeness of birds. The Ijiraq, which grew grand antlers from their brows. The Witiko, that had hooves and horns like deer. The Uyaruli, that had fur coats like bears. There are many others, too numerous to name them all. She saw these creatures as her children, and loved them all dearly. But their condition was as poor as their lives before. They cowered in caves and would not come out. So once again, a new world was created.

The third world was perfect, perhaps too perfect, for these beings. Some evolved into the funny little things called humans, while others retained their abnormal traits. The resourceful, adaptable humans began building villages and cities, increasing in number rapidly and growing stronger every day. The Dził looked upon mankind and became envious, and evil began to creep into their minds. The seeds of their jealousy and wrath were planted by the Trickster Spirit, Ma’ii. This evil drove them to attack the humans. Start wars. Pillage, plunder, and kill. The third world became laden with the spirits of many dead, and the spirits had to force their hands.

The fourth world was made, and a great fissure, called Sipapu, was opened between the third and fourth worlds for the humans to escape. The Dził, as punishment for their transgressions, were pushed back to the second world to live in caves once again. The spirit Masauwu, the Skeleton Man, was tasked with watching the third world, and with watching the dead that lived in it and that passed through it. It became the realm of the afterlife. The Dził, trapped in the second world, became bitter and vile, twisted by the envy that Ma’ii had put inside them. A curse grew within, a curse made by each Dził’s wretched tendencies. Ahkyeli'skï and Witiko were cursed for consuming human flesh. Ijiraq and Uyaruli were cursed for the practice of evil magicks. Each one innocent from birth, but cursed by the practices of their parentage. The humans live peacefully in the fourth world. Some fight amongst each other while others form alliances. Some are farmers, others are warriors. Some are gifted power from the spirits, and become Shaamen. Those blessed with magic are the pride of the human race, the great builders of society. All of them await their reward, in death and in life, the creation of the fifth world. The fourth world sits on the threshold of the fifth. It has not yet been made, and it will be the heaven mortal souls wait for. But the cracks between worlds widen each day, and each day the substance of one world slips into another. Unfortunate souls of humans drift into the second world. Rarely, living humans fall into the third. Worst of all, Dził have began to rise from their world into the realm of the humans, seeking revenge on them and the spirits that brought about their downfall. They wish to be the epitome of all existence, and to make the eventual fifth world their own. They take human Shamen and hide them away in their caves, using them as living batteries to fuel their evil magic. They’ve used this magic to shorten days and lengthen nights by summoning black clouds to hide the rising and setting sun. They steal children from their homes and burn villages to the ground. Villages hid themselves away. They would not send messages to each other. Any messenger sent outside village borders would surely die. Trade became impossible, and in some places, food became scarce. Many once-great cities starved, and only those who could sustain themselves remained. The spirits have never felt more distant. This would become known as the Discorrespondance. When all communication in the fourth world came to a halt.

Now, despite a need to hide, humans are forced to fight if they desire heaven. Fight for the fifth world. For their just reward.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶꒦꒷ ‧₊˚⊹

Hey! Author here. I’m currently writing a novel that revolves around this concept. Any helpful tips about Native American mythology or writing in general are greatly appreciated. Also my dms are open for asks, comments, or anyone who wants to rp in this universe, or in any universe really. (Within reason, thanks.) It helps me practice character interaction and dialogue. I’ll be posting in the future about the characters in this story, locations, monsters, magic, and anything else vital to the plot. I won’t be posting any of the plot itself because I don’t want anyone stealing it, but I think that’s the only thing I won’t be sharing with the internet. I hope anyone who sees this (if anyone at all) has a wonderful day, because they are wonderful human beings. 😊

#roleplay #fantasy #creative writing #worldbuilding #character design #original creatures #original world #Native American mythology #Moo’na #original story

[detectivebonghits]

Glad

pros - much larger than just about anyone else :) soooo much of her to cuddle - perks of royalty; access to the royal palace and its chef - values a sense of humour in her partners - probably the most powerful figure on hyperborea, will have no problem defending you from just about anything

cons - has an on again/off again relationship (and a child) with an ancient evil demon ice queen of wrath so if u dont like witiko (or she doesn't like you) then you're kinda shit outta luck - REALLY busy all the time. workaholic bitch - on a related note; her priorities are (in order) her queendom, her children, her siblings, her teaching, and her innovating - her partners' gotta accept that they come after all that - not terribly open with her emotions - the publicity - gotta be (at least somewhat) okay with being in the spotlight as an immortal god-queen's latest of many lovers

#kirindos #niomedes invictus #glados

[damercerart]

#no date #Witiko

[simplymoments-official]

A horse‘s eye is the mirror to your soul 🦄

#photography #iamnikon #austria #lovemyjob #lovephotography #nikon #nikonphotography #nature #simplymoments #upperaustria #horse #noriker #witiko #neronoriker

[flyingshy]

we don't talk about That Thing: Michigan Edition

Look, it might have been a deer you just narrowly avoided hitting with your car, but did it REALLY look like a deer? The further you drive, the more you think...was it standing on its hind legs? Do their eyes always look like that? Was it bigger than it’s supposed to be? Are you willing to look back? 

No.

If you do look back, you might see nothing, which would be bad. Or you might see Something, which would be worse. I’m not saying that it wasn’t a deer, I’m just saying maybe it never was, or maybe it isn’t anymore.

#american gothic #michigan #windigo myths originate here #witiko #don't drive tired

[accidentaloverhaul]

Wendigo depiction using tree roots and branches for the basis of the design.  Really had fun doing this one!  It’s available as a print here!  If you’d like to tour the rest of my shop, just click here!  There isn’t much up yet, but I’m adding more to the shop as I go along!

I do NOT permit anyone to repost or resell my artwork on ANY site.  If seen, please contact me if you can.

#my art #wendigo #deer #nature #bones #monster #witiko #wetiko #windigo #digital art #skeleton #roots #tree #trees #horror #dirt #creature #branches #branch #it isn't in full resolution on this site #only on redbubble #vector

[coyote-brainbabies]

Profile: Witiko

scary lady from the backlog

Basic Information

Full Name: Witiko Nicknames/Aliases: Wit, the Mimic Title(s): None Age: Unknown (adult) Gender: Cis Female Orientation: Heterosexual Species: Unknown Birthday: Unknown Occupation: None Powers: Mimicking voices Living Family: Vrases (mate), Xavia (daughter), Uzziel (son), Tzofiya (daughter), Simeon (son) Hometown: Unknown Current Residence: Traveling

Physical Characteristics

Height: 15′ when standing at her full height Skin Shell: Black Hair Foliage: Brown Eyes: White Body Type: Skeletal Distinguishing Marks: None Left or Right-Handed: Right Quirks/Habits: Making dog-like whimpering sounds when sad. Voice/Voiceclaim: She can change it to just about anything, but her default voice is very deep and scratchy.

Medical Information

Addictions: None Aids/Augmentations: None Allergies: None Conditions: None Physical Abnormalities: None Blood Type: ??? Mental Illnesses: None Other Notes: While Witiko does have eyes under her “pelt,” only one of them is functional. The other was gouged out in a past fight.

Mental/Personality Attributes

Known Languages: Common, maybe others Positive Traits: Loyal, playful, clever, affectionate, intelligent Neutral Traits: Stubborn, protective, blunt, mischievous, proud Negative Traits: Aggressive, callous, temperamental, dangerous, morbid Optimist, Pessimist, or Realist: Realist Introvert or Extrovert: Introvert Fears: Losing a child, feeling trapped Secrets: None

Likes/Dislikes

General Likes: Hunting, toying with people, family, Yateveo's singing, running, wrestling, cuddling, eating, naps, exploring, traveling General Dislikes: Cities, crowded spaces, water/swimming, failed hunts, cowards, retreating, overcooked meat, thunderstorms Favorite... Animal: -tba- Color: Dark green Food: -tba- Music Genre: -tba- Season: Autumn

Relationships

Best Friend(s): Yateveo Other Friends: Zerta Acquaintances: None Significant Other(s): Vrases Rivals: None Enemies: Opaline, Murano Pets: None

Other/Trivia

Meaning of Name: Witiko is an alternative name/spelling of wendigo, a creature in Native American mythology that cannibals turn into. Religion: None/indifferent Astrological Zodiac: Unknown Chinese Zodiac: Unknown Celtic Zodiac: Unknown Element: Fire MBTI Type: ISTP Hogwarts House: Gryffindor Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (occasionally teeters towards Chaotic Evil)

When not mimicking voices and speech patterns to lure prey, Witiko tends to speak in short, simple sentences.

Despite her dislike of water, Witiko can swim just fine when needed. She just prefers not to.

Witiko first met Yateveo when she saved him from starving to death. She thought they would part ways when he was well enough to fend for himself, but they've stuck together ever since.

Witiko also didn't expect her mate and children to stick around, as their species is usually solitary, and families tend to split up once their “pups” have fully matured. However, they ended up staying together as a pack with Yateveo and Zerta (and she couldn't be happier.)

#hollow knight #profiles #witiko

[aoitrolls]

Smash or Pass, Wendigo additon. Here we go!! 

#smash or pass #witiko

[lillylubanshee]

Illustration by Ron H. Bruhn. Source: https://www.deviantart.com/calfcut Text by Nathan Carlson's monster study: CARLSON, Nathan D. Reviving Witiko (Windigo): An ethnohistory of “cannibal monsters” in the Athabasca district of northern Alberta, 1878–1910. Ethnohistory, 2009, vol. 56, no 3, p. 355-394. #wendigo #windigo #witiko #hannibalappropiation #cannibalism #monsters https://www.instagram.com/p/Btpyvc4AOQx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=uyk40zm65slq

#wendigo #windigo #witiko #hannibalappropiation #cannibalism #monsters

[sleepytrolls]

mistle mistle Wit and Fest

“Oh goodness. I mean..I can’t say no since it is like, a tradition and all.”

You lean in and press a little kiss to his cheek. Ah your face feels hot, but you had to imagine that the fire from your mouth was even hotter. Why had this been happening every time you get flustered lately?

#ic #festyr speaks #witiko #aoitrolls