What is the Wendigo? Is it Real?

Cryptids are creatures that heavily occupy the space of folklore and legends, though little scientific evidence is out there to prove their physical existence. Having said that, there have been many alleged encounters with cryptids across the globe, from elusive thunderbirds to terrifying chupacabras. No matter the cryptid, these mysterious creatures have undoubtedly enticed many, capturing the imaginations — and attention — of people worldwide. One of these cryptids is the world-famous wendigo, which is a creature deeply rooted in ancient Native American mythology. Having said that, let’s explore the lore further to uncover what wendigos are and what their stories might symbolize!

Origin of This Cryptid

For background, wendigo have existed as a prominent figure in the oral history of many native tribes for centuries. Experts have traced the source back to the Algonquin people, who lived in the northern regions of the U.S. and Canada. Having said that, this cryptid also made its way into the belief systems of many other native tribes as well, including the Ojibwe, Saulteaux, Cree, Naskapi, and Innu. Though this creature is known by several names like the windikouk, wi’ntsigo, wi’tigo, and atchen, each designation roughly translates to “the evil spirit that devours mankind.” On the other hand, in Ojibwe, the term is closer in meaning to “winter cannibal monster.” This might be the case because that they associate wendigo with starvation caused by barren winters.

Natives have been telling stories of wendigo for ages, but it wasn’t until 1636 that they were put on paper. These reports were made by Paul Le Jeune, a French Jesuit missionary. He was residing with the Algonquin people in what is now present-day Quebec. In this documented account, he described how a woman warned him of a nearby “atchen” (wendigo) who had recently attacked. Allegedly, the only thing that saved him — and many of the other local indigenous people — from imminent death was the fact that the wendigo was called elsewhere, opting instead to seek out prey in other areas.

How the First Wendigo Came To Be

As the stories go, the first wendigo was a lost hunter. During an unusually brutal winter, he was driven to cannibalism as a result of his excessive hunger. After committing this immoral act, the hunter spontaneously transformed into a wendigo. This being was described as a “crazed man beast.” After that, he lived in the forest, feasting on any and all human prey he could find. In Native American and Canadian legends, all wendigo start out as humans. It is only after they are overpowered by some form of immense greed or hunger that they transform. Other lore explains that humans can turn into this terrifying cryptid by being in contact with one for too long.

Characteristics and Traits of This Cryptid

Although descriptions of wendigo differ between each Native American tribe, there are common features shared between them all. First, all wendigo are believed to be malevolent, cannibalistic, supernatural creatures. In some cases, wendigo are not thought to be physical beings. Instead, they are believed to be demonic spirits that possesses humans that fall victim to immoral acts, such as cannibalism. In other cases, this cryptid is a physical beast that stalks and eats humans, in turn taking over their bodies. Alternatively, the Cree people believe the spirit of wendigo can only enter a person by biting them or by accessing their souls in dreams.

Though there is currently no widely accepted scientific proof that wendigos exist, there have been thousands of alleged sightings over the years. This helps create an image of what they might look like. To start, they are “highly emaciated, humanoid beings” with elongated limbs, sharp claws, and sunken-in, glowing red eyes. Their skin is tightly stretched over their grotesquely thin, skeletal frames, which aids in creating their unnatural and unforgettable profile. Some legends suggest that their bodies are also covered in either matted fur or reptilian scales.

This cryptid also has various supernatural powers, including being able to run over a hundred miles per hour. Furthermore, these creatures have the power to perfectly mimic voices. This sinister skill enables them to lure victims deep into the wilderness or away from others — all of which make people easy prey for the wendigo. Additionally, this cryptid is commonly associated with an insatiable hunger for human flesh, which represents insatiable greed and the destructive energy it brings.

How to Avoid a Wendigo Attack

There are a few ways you can avoid encountering a wendigo. The easiest way is to not speak any variation of its name aloud. Many natives advise against that since it can give the cryptid even more power. Worse yet, legends say that if you speak its name out loud, you run the risk of summoning it directly to you. Also, if you hear any voices (of any kind) in the woods at night, you should definitely ignore it!

The Truth Behind the Folklore

While we already covered the origins of the wendigo, what exactly was the reason behind the existence of these creatures? Well, it is widely understood that many Native American stories and legends were created to explain natural phenomenon or try to warn against / discourage certain behaviors. Because of this, it is possible the wendigo was simply created as a precautionary tale to discourage behaviors such as greed, gluttony, and cannibalism. This legend also serves as a reminder of the possible karmic aftermath of falling victim to your primal instincts, or simply from violating widely accepted tribal taboos.

All in all, even though the existence of the wendigo remains a figure rooted only in folklore and myth, their chilling prevalence in Native American traditions and mainstream culture continues to intrigue those interested in the supernatural. But are they mere figments of our imagination? Or are there actually these cryptids lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike?