The VERY Messed Up Origins™ of the Wendigo: Cannibal Demon | Native American Folklore Explained
Jon Solo・27 minutes read
October brings the return of spoopy season, focusing on the theme of human flesh consumption in folklore, especially through creatures like the wendigo. The wendigo, a cannibalistic monster from North American indigenous folklore, has inspired various media, with depictions often diverging from the original lore and carrying warnings against cannibalism and betrayal.
Insights
- The wendigo, originating from Native American folklore, symbolizes the consequences of cannibalism and the transformation of the soul and mind, serving as a cautionary tale against betraying one's own kind.
- The depiction of wendigos in pop culture often diverges from the original lore, incorporating physical transformations and antlers, showcasing how folklore can evolve and adapt to different mediums, emphasizing the enduring impact of these mythical creatures.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
What is a wendigo?
A cannibalistic monster from North American indigenous folklore.
What inspired media about wendigos?
The wendigo's presence in folklore and literature.
What is the origin of the word "wendigo"?
"Ween doggo," meaning solely for self.
What are the consequences of cannibalism in wendigo folklore?
Social banishment and an insatiable craving.
How did misconceptions about wendigos originate?
The first short story written about them in 1910.
Related videos
Summary
00:00
"Wendigo: Folklore, Cannibalism, and Misconceptions"
- October marks the return of spoopy season, with a theme of human flesh consumption in folklore.
- Humanoids with a taste for human flesh are common in folklore and literature, like the wendigo.
- The wendigo, a cannibalistic monster from North American indigenous folklore, has inspired various media.
- Depictions of wendigos in pop culture differ from the original folklore, often adding antlers and physical transformations.
- The wendigo is described in Native American lore as gaunt, with a transformation of the soul and mind.
- The word "wendigo" originates from "ween doggo," meaning solely for self, reflecting the monster's desire for human flesh.
- The craving for human flesh in wendigos stemmed from starvation and desperation, leading to cannibalism.
- Consuming human flesh in Native American lore led to social banishment and an insatiable craving.
- Stories about wendigos served as warnings against cannibalism and the consequences of betraying one's own kind.
- The misconceptions about wendigos began with the first short story written about them in 1910 by Algernon Blackwood.
14:11
Mysterious disappearance and transformation in the wilderness.
- Simpson and Defogo camp together for warmth and safety, but Simpson is disturbed when he wakes to find Defogo crying and unresponsive.
- Defogo's feet are found outside the tent as if pulled, and Simpson hears a strange voice calling out three distinct notes.
- Defogo suddenly bolts out of the tent, screaming about his burning feet, leaving Simpson to follow after him.
- Simpson, fueled by bacon, sets out to find Defogo, noticing animal tracks alongside his guide's.
- Defogo's footprints transform into inhuman strides before abruptly disappearing, leading Simpson to search in vain.
- Simpson returns to camp, feeling watched, and stays vigilant by the fire all night, fearing an attack.
- Simpson paddles across the lake guided by a distant fire, reaching safety with his uncle and Hank after a harrowing journey.
- The group searches for Defogo, with Hank sharing a different version of the Wendigo legend, linking it to the call of the wild.
- Defogo, or a distorted version of him, appears at the campfire, with his feet and face showing signs of transformation.
- Defogo returns to camp in a damaged state, his mind broken, with frostbitten feet and bleeding eyes, leaving the group puzzled about his survival and Punk's disappearance.
