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Traditional Inuit beliefs are a form of animism, which defines as the attribution of a living soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena.
Inuits believes that all things that happen, happen from the influence or through a spirit. It was also believed that talismans and magical charms played part in fate. Furthermore, multiple taboos were enforced to ensure no animals spirits were offended, also, when animals were killed for food, it was done according to certain rituals and guidelines. Anyone with appropriate charms or amulets could have some control over spirits, however the mo central religious figure in the traditional Inuit culture that was best equipped to control spirits was the shaman. His functions included blessing the hunt, treating sickness and providing advice in times of crisis. Amulets To ward off evil spirits people of the Inuit culture created amulets. Amulets were an item from the natural world that can be in its original form or modified. For example, an eagle's claw, a tree branch and a seashell for protection against evil. Amulets were used to protect the wearer from evil, as well as reveal their eternal essence |
Shamans
Shamans are spiritually connected people who practice ancient shamanistic rituals as part of everyday life. It was believed a shaman could travel through the three realms of spiritual reality--the Upper, Middle and Lower World. Shamans had the ability to uncover secrets, perform hunting-related rituals, heal, find game, manipulate the weather, foretell the future, bestow good or bad fortune on another person and communicate with the dead and the gods of the unseen world. |
Hunting and food |
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The Inuit were mainly hunters, and relied heavily on the animals of the Arctic as their main source of food.
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Spring Whaling Ceremony
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Story telling
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Masks |
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Masks were made out of drift wood, animals skins bones and fathers- they were often painted in bright colors. Because of the cultural diversity its hard to tell the purpose of the masks
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