In the 21st century, cultural appropriationlike globalizationisn't just inevitable; it's potentially positive. Sacred creatures? One recurring theme across these storytelling mediums is the use of the wendigoalso spelled wtikoa monstrous figure from Algonquian mythology who exhibits an insatiable greed along with a desire for human flesh. wendigos originate from spiritual beliefs held by Algonquian Indigenous peoples, whom are from the north eastern part of north america. Not so for anyone who isn't a straight, white male, and this trend in entertainment forces many people to seek out "niche" markets to find characters who look like them and are portrayed honestly and realistically. "To the people present, it was suspected that Moostoos was becoming a 'Whitego', an insane person capable of murdering and cannibalism.41 To the natives without jails or asylums, there was only one thing to do. For other uses, see, Graham, John Russell; John Coates; Barbara Swartzentruber; Brian Ouellette; ", harvcoltxt error: no target: CITEREFSchwarz1969 (, International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, descriptive template for the Indian savage, corporate voracity, exploitation, and power, "Windigo: The Flesh-Eating Monster of Native American Legend", International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts, "Windigo, the Ice Cannibal (Wendigo, Wiindigoo, Windgo, Windego)", "Relations des Jsuites contenant ce qui s'est pass de plus remarquable dans les missions des Pres de la Compagnie de Jsus dans la Nouvelle-France", "The Jesuit Relations: Travels and Expectations of the Jesuit Missionaries in New France, 16101791", "Love, and Death in Stephen King's 'Pet Sematary', "The In Character Interview with Nathan Niigan Noodin Adler", "Nathan Niigan Noodin Adler on writing an Indigenous horror story", "ANTLERS: GUILLERMO DEL TORO E SCOTT COOPER SVELANO IL SIGNIFICATO DEL WENDIGO", "Supernatural - Season 1, Episode 2: Wendigo", "Fallout 76 Creatures: Bethesda Tells Tales of the Wendigo", "The Wiitiko Psychosis in the Context of Ojibwa Personality and Culture", Seeing Wetiko: on Capitalism, Mind Viruses, and Antidotes for a World in Transition, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wendigo&oldid=1139431905, Legendary creatures of the indigenous peoples of North America, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia pages semi-protected against vandalism, Articles with text in Algonquian languages, Articles containing Proto-Algonquian-language text, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from March 2022, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Articles with failed verification from August 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Teicher, Morton I. I would agree, only I am more likely to not care much even what an Algonquin cares about my monster character. With its bones pushing out against its skin, its complexion the ash gray of death, and its eyes pushed back deep into their sockets; the Wendigo looked like a gaunt skeleton recently disinterred from the grave. Wendigo) from its cultural conte xt and its movement by non-Indigenous . It's just fiction, I thought. ][22][failed verification], In historical accounts of retroactively diagnosed Wendigo psychosis, it has been reported that humans became possessed by the wendigo spirit, after being in a situation of needing food and having no other choice besides cannibalism. We should show proper respect to our Cryptids at all times, and Im rightfully righteously indignant at the thought of anyone doing otherwise with Mothman. What I do think is not so great was it could have been something that was corrected for the films, where they do have access to people and the internet was more developed in the mid 2000s. How stupid to think otherwise. This ailment attacked our deputies; and, as death is the sole remedy among those simple people for checking such acts of murder, they were slain in order to stay the course of their madness. Wendigo psychosis is a fascinating condition with a storied history. It turned its hunger on the Americas, a wendigo so hungry that it consumes its own lips if there is nothing else for it to eat. [25], One of the more famous cases of Wendigo psychosis reported involved a Plains Cree trapper from Alberta, named Swift Runner. Eat what you want to eat, tattoo yourself with whatever you want to tattoo yourself with, wear what you want to wear, and let those ove Continue Reading More answers below In some traditions, humans overpowered by greed could turn into wendigos; the myth thus served as a method of encouraging cooperation and moderation. Some of this critique was rightly directed at literal cultural theft . Privacy Policy. The Windigo also has the power to turn humans into cannibals who suffer the same . By Christian Chiakulas, Contributor Writer, musician, activist, single father from Chicago. I have always felt a distinct emotional connection to it, in fact. The Wendigo was gaunt to the point of emaciation; its desiccated skin pulled tautly over its bones. Wendigo Cannibalism in Native American Folklore. But if they actually did, I would pick another monster from the giant Pandemonium one has at one's choice. Cultural appropriation, defined Culture refers to the traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices of any given ethnic, racial, or religious group. When I got over my initial bout of self-defensiveness, I realized I was totally wrong. . In contrast to modern horror stories that appropriate the wendigo as a plot device, Forbes implies that what actually ought to be terrifying to us is that we live in societies enveloped in violence and exploitation that we struggle to identify as such. Now that I have a major problem with. His first novel, THE CONFESSIONS OF SAINT CHRISTOPHER: WEREWOLF, is available for purchase at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/734763 to tell a new tale. Discover short videos related to wendigo cultural appropriation on TikTok. Facing History and Ourselves invites educators to explore our case study Stolen Lives: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools, particularly our reading "Culture, Stereotypes, and Identity" which features reflection questions surrounding some of the stereotypical media representations that we touch upon at the beginning of this essay. Kaitlin Smith on November 30, 2021. By the mid-1990s, it had gained a solid place in academic discourse, particularly in the field of sociology. Truly insensitive cultural appropriation is when you're taking a part of another culture and portraying it in a deliberately insensitive or disrespectful manner. I wouldn't be offended if someone dressed as a stereotypical Scottish person whatever that looks like lol. Marvel Comics pay tribute to classic Monsters. A specimen of folk story collected in the early 20th century by Lottie Chicogquaw Marsden, an ethnographer of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, in which a wendigo also exhibits tool use, an ability to survive partial dismemberment, and autocannibalism, reads:[19]. I think she knew that her decision would be challenged and she wanted to let people know that she had valid reasons for doing what she did. For example, dressing up as a Native American while using redface and using the gaudiest, most elaborate costume you can think of (using the stereotypical feathered headress, tribal print tan clothing, holding a spear, etc.). The Wendigo, also known as the Hollowed, was a type of Creature of Grimm that was proposed to appear in the animated webseries RWBY. Only those entitled to them should wear them. appropriation, or - as I argue - misappropriation, of the Wendigo as a They got Thor and Loki all wrong and what the hell? There's nothing wrong with drawing the popular concept of a wendigo monster, or drawing any monster with antlers, and calling it a wendigo. I believe that the Wendigo is far older than that, far more primal. But I do know the actual description of it. https://www.deviantart.com/forum/community/complaints/2611618/. Whether you understand it fully or not, cultural appropriation is a real thing and a real problem. It can serve as a metaphor explaining any pattern of domination by which groups subjugate and dominate or violently destroy and displace. Cookie Notice I just posted a new video talking about cultural appropriation and art! LOL. The protection of minorities from the materialization of the majority's different thoughts is an asset of democratic constitutionalism. 17spaz 2 yr. ago It was forbidden to resort to this practice, even out of desperation. Dollightful's Apology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW-KBzKWvrUTo clear up the addition that I made even more, I think that it would be pretty important for the information on this topic to be easily accessible to her viewers. Clunky prose aside, this is the "noble savage" trope repurposed for Rowling's universe, with just a pinch of Magical Negro thrown in for good measure. Okay, dont anybody get me wrong. [13] They were strongly associated with winter, the north, coldness, famine, and starvation.[14]. The heroes of books I read, movies I watched, and games I played almost exclusively looked like me when I was growing up, people I could easily identify with. [20], Among the Assiniboine, the Cree, and the Ojibwe, a satirical ceremonial dance is sometimes performed during times of famine to reinforce the seriousness of the wendigo taboo. I believe cultural appropriation is Only when someone of another 'race' or culture creates something and passes it off as if it is authentic. The "Dark Horse" singer . Created by the writer Steve Englehart and artist Herb Trimpe, the monster is the result of a curse that afflicts those who commit acts of cannibalism. No they fucking aren't. He has written, produced and directed (and occasionally acted in) over a dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and Crime genres. Oh yeah, Marvel. It's like saying vampires are sacred. As much as I would love to tell everyone to just read her sources and then be able to understand everything better, I just don't think that's realistic for most people(because they are not easily accessible to most, and I don't think that was her intention by including these in her description. It's fine for colonized Indians to incorporate European fitness . Jack committed suicide, but Joseph was tried and sentenced to life in prison. I do not know whether Algonquin People indeed consider Wendigo depictions in mainstream media so culturally sensitive or taboo as the "woke" in your lead comment implied I would somehow doubt it but do not know for sure. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. without permission. Theres something else. Contents 1 History 2 Gallery 3 Trivia 4 Navigation History I know people who are absolutely terrified of them, branching out from their fear of deer. The Witherell House and the Cult of Weird, Movie Review: BIRDS OF PREY (And the Fantabulous Inclusion of Victor Zsasz and a Hyena). 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. It's a really cool beast that I personally would like to see more in fiction. The people who get offended over it, on behalf of someone else, are pathetically absurd. Payals, or anklets, are meant to symbolize the arrival of a wife into her husband's house. It's also linked to the many cultural taboos against these negative actions and behaviors. America is the symbol of inclusion, so as part of the American culture we embrace foreign influences in our society. Cooper and del Toro made the conscious decision to tell the story of the wendigo in a way that is respectful to its Native American roots, which in turn helps make Antlers a more authentic horror film. Topics: When first hearing this criticism, I, as a wannabe author of fiction (by the way, you can buy my debut novella here) rolled my eyes and whitesplained to myself why Rowling wasn't doing anything wrong. (Not to put too fine a point on it, but you should totally go buy my novella. It's a term for what happens to people who for one reason or another turn to eating other people. I do not know, nor can I. Character can be mean, evil or complete asshole but you still should be respectful while writing said character. There, he uses the cannibalistic wendigo as a metaphor for the behaviors and attitudes central to patterns of social domination visited upon his own people in the Americas and subjugated peoples everywhere. The horror film Antlers adopts an old monster for its story, which serves as both a benefit and a hindrance. As long as theyre not shoving their porn in your face let them be as Paul McCartney sung. Representation in media is crucially important, something I have become very aware of as I've grown older and consumed more entertainment. does not have antlers or have any wolf features. Ill admit, my initial reaction was very dismissive. Archived post. Replying to @luciproletariatfox #culturalappropriation #wendigoon, #yeti #wendigo #voodoodoll #culturalappropriation, #duet with @firelotusthewitch #culturalappropriation #vvitchtok #vvitch #witchywoman #pagantok #norsepagan #norsetok #pagansoftiktok #pagancommunity, I am curious to hear the opinions of others on this one. I can write whatever fiction I want, and draw whatever I want. What makes the wendigo any different from other culturally important mythological creatures like unicorns? Appropriating the Wendigo As it so happens, I am currently working on a project involving a Wendigo, so this is personal to me. [51], Television series employing the figure include Teen Wolf, Supernatural,[52] Blood Ties,[53] Charmed,[54] Grimm,[55] and Hannibal, where an FBI profiler has recurring dreams or visions of a wendigo that symbolizes the titular cannibalistic serial killer. These bonnets are symbols of warrior achievements and are the equivalent of military medals. "[39] Lockhard's ideas explain that wendigos are an expression of a dark aspect of human nature: the drive toward greed, consumption, and disregard for other life in the pursuit of self-aggrandizement. The novel describes its primary antagonist, a rapist whose violent crimes desecrate a sacred site, as a wendigo who must be killed because he threatens the reservation's safety. I'm not skilled enough to draw these (")> lolz. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I'm just glad I learned this lesson from her before actually getting my book published. Creative freedom is a beautiful luxury too many do not understand; it wasn't but a hundred years ago when art was said to have an objective hierarchy, and that was how it was for thousands of years. Writer, musician, activist, single father from Chicago. A classic example is wearing a Plains Indian war bonnet (see the 80s band The Village People). No it isn't cultural appropriation, as long as it is researched and accurately presented in the story. Ces pauures gens furent saisis, ce qu'on nous a dit, d'vn mal qui nous est inconnu, mais qui n'est pas bien extraordinaire parmy les peuples que nous cherchons: ils ne sont ny lunatiques, ny hypocondriaques, ny phrenetiques; mais ils ont vn mlange de toutes ces sortes de maladies, qui, leur blessant l'imagination, leur cause vne faim plus que canine, et les rend si affamez de chair humaine, qu'ils se iettent sur les femmes, sur les enfans, mesme sur les hommes, comme de vrais loups-garous, et les deuorent belles dents, sans se pouuoir rassasier ny saouler, cherchans tousiours nouuelle proye, et plus auidement que plus ils en ont mang. As a concept, wendigo can apply to situations other than some Native American-European relations. Tell us about it in the comments. We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them.. With teepees, Im not sure I get it. No they ain't. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(443401, 'c61f3219-a9f3-4b0c-95ea-f614a80c184b', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Pictured above: A portion of the poster for the film Antlers (Fox Searchlight, 2021). And were on the right side, thats what were working on but sometimes you get that cannibal tendency. spellings (see Colombo 2) but is most commonly rendered as Windigo, Wendigo, or Witiko. In my blind quest to represent everyone, all I did was reinforce the problem. On the other hand, "The Wendigo" is one of the first representations of the windigo by a [42] In an early short story by Thomas Pynchon, "Mortality and Mercy in Vienna" (first published in 1959), the plot centers around a character developing Wendigo syndrome and going on a killing spree. He has written, produced and directed (and occasionally acted in) over a dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and Crime genres. As a creator, I believe it is my responsibility, the responsibility of any creator, if using characters that belong to a culture other than mine and exploring themes from that culture, to be accurate. I would advise anyone, however, who feels that way about my choice to create art or literature based on a wendigo, to simply avoid my gallery and writing. [40][41] Joe Nazare wrote that Blackwood's "subtly-demonizing rhetoric transforms the Wendigo from a native myth into a descriptive template for the Indian savage."[42]. Basil H. Johnston, an Ojibwe teacher and scholar from Ontario, gives a description of a wendigo: The Wendigo was gaunt to the point of emaciation, its desiccated skin pulled tightly over its bones. If it's so vulgar and offensive that many hate it, well they can just not look at it lmao - it clearly wasn't made for them. Cultural appropriation means using a racial, religious, or social group's customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits without authority or right. It springs from the well of the collective human unconscious, the communal soul. The book's cul-tural importance granted it not one, but two movie adaptations, the first in 1989 and the second in 2019. The name comes from the animal's reported habit of attacking and drinking the blood of livestock, especially goats. Here's some links:Website - https://thesierramistify.wixsite.com/thesierramistifyEtsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/thesierramistify?ref=simple-shop-header-name\u0026listing_id=736195213Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesierramistify/Art Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesierramistify.art/- Music used in this video -Prime Beatz - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkG3r3-ODOw In 1973 a character inspired by the wendigo appeared in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. In addition to characterizing individual people who exhibit destructive tendencies, the wendigo can also describe movements and events with similarly negative effects. The deaths of tens of millions of Jews, Slavs, etc., at the hands of the Nazis, the deaths of tens of millions of blacks in slavery days, the deaths of up to 30 million or more Indians in the 1500s, the terribly short life spans of Mexican Indian farm workers in the US, and of Native Americans generally today, the high death rates in the early industrial centers among factory workers, and so on, all clearly attest to the fact that the wealthy and exploitative literally consume the lives of those that they exploit.