It may come as no great surprise that the traditional Inuit (Eskimo) culture is similar to the cultures of the native people of Northern Russia as well as the Northern Scandinavian countries.

For these peoples, life has been dangerous, precarious, and frigid.  The Inuit have lived with the continual challenges of the cold and the ongoing threat of starvation.

Like many of the Native American Nations, the Inuit believe that anua, which is their word for souls exist in all people and animals. There are a number of taboos that both Individuals and families as well as the tribe itself must follow to ensure that the animals will make themselves available in the present and in the future to the hunters.

There are a number of ceremonies and native rituals that have been passed down through the millennia which are performed before and after every hunting leaves on the hunt.  These ceremonies and rituals are essential to bring about a successful hunt.

The Inuit also pay homage to a number of deities whose purpose it is to care for the land and sea creatures.  For example, there is the underwater Goddess Takanaluk also known as Sedna who is in charge of the sea mammals. Sedna is part fish and part human. The success of a sea hunt is attributed to her.  Sedna watches over and determines closely the tribe obeys the taboos.  If the taboos have been well-obeyed, then there will be a reward of plenty animals released for the hunters.

There are a number of deities known as the keepers and masters for the land animals who again will release a plentiful hunt based upon the close adherence to the taboos.

Each tribe has a spiritual leader known as The Angakut.  This is the same concept as the Shaman or Medicine Man in other tribes.  The Angakut is able to interpret the causes of sickness or lack of hunting success. He can determine the individual or family responsible and isolate the broken taboo. The Angakut enters a trance with the aid of drum beating and chanting. This allows his soul to leave his body and traverse great distances to determine the causes of sickness and other community problems.  From there the Angakut will advise and help to bring about balance to the tribe and restore hunting success.

The inuit are the most widely dispersed group in the world today.  They still live a life that is very connected to the earth, and their gods.  Although the Inuit span the northern most portion of the North American Continent, Greenland and eastern Siberia, an area of more than 3500 miles, they never created themselves as one great nation.  They have always lived in smaller groups, and have strong family bonds.   The Inuit are a very gentle and kind people.  In fact, "Inuit" means only "The People".

The Inuit tribes have a highly developed method for initiating new shamans. It is an extremely rigorous undertaking that is designed to actually cause the shaman to die and be reborn with a new consciousness.  During the ritual, which typically lasts more than 30 days, the new potential shaman will participate in various forms of isolation and self-denial, including fasting, solitary confinement, and celibacy as well as prayer. This brings about a death and a rebirth through visions.

Igjugarjuk, a Caribou Inuit shaman, spoke of how after his initiatory vision, which was brought on by the consumption of the Amanita muscaria mushroom, he continued a rigorous regime involving a special diet and celibacy:

"A Caribou Inuit initiate named Igjugarjuk, in his long and arduous initiatory vision, was at one point reduced to a skeleton and then was 'forged' with a hammer and anvil. Autdaruta, another Inuit initiate, had a vision in which he was eaten by a bear and then was vomited up, having gained power over the spirits." - James R. Davila, "Hekhalot Literature and Mysticism"

This is a very famous prayer of the Inuit.  It shows their willingness to maintain themselves through adversity and to remain strong, yet gentle for always tomorrow will dawn.

Prayer At Time Of Adversity
 An Inuit Indian Prayer

I think over again my small adventures.
My fears,
Those small ones that seemed so big,
For all the vital things
I had to get and reach.
And yet there is only one great thing,
The only thing,
To live to see the great day that dawns
And the light that fills the world.

© TheosEra.com Spiritual Community 2008