The Eskimo stories and legends have an almost spellbinding power over people just as much today as they have for hundreds of years. Living out on the ice of the Canadian arctic, the Inuit people live some of the toughest lives on earth. Each day is a challenge as they cope with frigid temperatures, lack of food and other natural disasters.
The unbelievably harsh environment is what has created the Inuit legends. The belief system of these ancient people is really quite unique. There is nothing to compare with it anywhere else. Probably the most striking difference is that there are no gods, deities or rulers. This reflects the democratic nature of life in the arctic. In many cases the struggle to survive takes priority over everything else and there is not time to worry about who should be the leader.
The Inuit mythology is not like most belief systems. There are no gods, deities or rulers. There are no dreams of an afterlife in heaven. But there is a strong and constant belief in spirits and shaman. The people believe that every living creature, human or animal, has a soul. If an animal is killed for food the hunters must follow a strict ritual or the dead animals spirit may come back to haunt them.
Rigid taboos and rituals are at the heart of any Inuit story. Breaking a taboo was viewed as not only shocking but also something that was likely to bring misfortune to the group. This was an extremely serious matter and is the basis for many a shocking story. Blood feuds are a favorite topic and there is none of the happy endings we are so likely to expect. Life was harsh and this is reflected in the tales from the ice.
Over the centuries many legends have developed. Most tales are passed on from one generation to the next by oral tradition. Each group would have a designated story teller who was responsible for memorizing the legends and passing them on. Interestingly many of the legends can be traced back hundreds of years and seem to fit in well with what is known of the changing arctic landscape.
When the story of Atanarjuat made it to the big screen viewers were amazed by the movie. It drew rave reviews from all around the globe. Audiences finally had the chance to see how profound and complex the Eskimo stories actually were. They were able to touch the hearts and souls of people from all over the world. In fact it was hailed as a breath of fresh air in a very jaded industry. The actors were all Inuit and this gave it an incredible level of authenticity.
The movie is extremely powerful and met with instant critical acclaim. The simple message is timeless and the native actors give stunning performances. The incredible scenery out on the ice is unforgettable and the movie has been shown to audiences around the world. The story is so compelling and presents aspects of life most of us have never thought about.
It is probably this unique and brutal approach that gives Eskimo stories their incredible power. Audiences are left stunned by the depth of the human spirit and the struggle to survive. It shows only too clearly how life can come to an unexpected and abrupt ending. The Inuit belief system is at first glance primitive, yet underneath there is an incredible amount of feeling and emotion.
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