Weendigo / Wertikoo / Wiitigo / Witiko

The Wendigo (also spelled Weendigo, Wertikoo, Wiitigo, or Witiko) is a supernatural creature from Algonquian folklore, primarily associated with the Native American peoples of the Great Lakes region and the northeastern forests of the United States and Canada. This terrifying creature is often linked to cannibalism, greed, and the spiritual corruption that occurs when a person succumbs to such extreme vices. The Wendigo is a symbol of the dangers of unchecked hunger and consumption, both literal and metaphorical.

Characteristics of the Wendigo

1. Appearance:
   • Descriptions of the Wendigo vary, but it is typically portrayed as a tall, emaciated creature with gray, decaying skin, giving it a corpse-like appearance. Some legends depict it as a giant humanoid, while others show it as a skeletal figure with sunken eyes, long limbs, and sharp teeth. Its appearance often reflects the ravages of starvation, as its body is gaunt and covered in thin, leathery skin stretched over its bones.
   • In many versions, the Wendigo is described as having elongated claws and antlers or horns on its head, further enhancing its monstrous and animalistic nature.
   • The creature’s breath is said to be foul and icy, reflecting its association with cold, desolate environments such as the winter forests of the north.
2. Insatiable Hunger:
   • One of the most defining traits of the Wendigo is its insatiable hunger for human flesh. No matter how much it consumes, it is never satisfied and is doomed to eternal starvation. This hunger is not only physical but also spiritual, as the Wendigo represents the endless greed and consumption that can corrupt the human soul.
   • In some traditions, people who engage in cannibalism or succumb to extreme greed are transformed into Wendigos themselves, cursed to roam the wilderness in search of human prey.
3. Cold and Isolation:
   • The Wendigo is often associated with winter, cold, and desolation. It is said to dwell in the remote forests of the north, where harsh winters and food shortages drive people to desperate measures. The creature thrives in these isolated, cold environments, where survival is difficult and the risk of starvation is high.

Role in Algonquian Mythology

1. Warning Against Cannibalism:
   • The Wendigo is primarily seen as a cautionary figure in Algonquian culture, warning against the dangers of cannibalism. In times of extreme famine, particularly during the harsh winters of the northern regions, people might be tempted to resort to cannibalism for survival. The Wendigo embodies the consequences of such actions, representing the dehumanizing and soul-destroying effects of cannibalism.
   • In some stories, the Wendigo is a person who was once human but became a monster after resorting to cannibalism. This transformation is seen as a spiritual punishment, trapping the person in an endless cycle of hunger and violence.
2. Symbol of Greed and Corruption:
   • Beyond cannibalism, the Wendigo is also a symbol of greed, selfishness, and excess. In Algonquian belief, those who are excessively greedy or consume more than they need risk becoming like the Wendigo. The creature serves as a metaphor for the destructive consequences of unchecked greed, where the desire for more—whether it be food, resources, or power—ultimately consumes the person.
   • The Wendigo’s constant hunger reflects the idea that no amount of consumption can satisfy a person who is driven by greed.
3. Transformation into a Wendigo:
   • In many stories, a person can become a Wendigo through acts of cannibalism or by succumbing to extreme hunger and greed. The transformation can happen gradually, as the person loses their humanity, or it can occur suddenly, as a result of a moment of desperation or moral failure.
   • Those who turn into Wendigos are often outcasts or individuals who become isolated from their community, whether through exile or self-imposed isolation. This isolation mirrors the Wendigo’s existence as a solitary creature, cut off from society and doomed to wander the wilderness alone.

Symbolism of the Wendigo

1. Cultural Warnings:
   • The Wendigo serves as a cultural warning against excess, greed, and immorality. In Algonquian society, which valued community, sharing, and cooperation, the Wendigo represented the dangers of placing individual desires above the needs of the group. Its myth encourages people to remain vigilant about the moral implications of their actions, especially in times of hardship.
2. Winter and Survival:
   • The Wendigo’s connection to winter and starvation reflects the hardships faced by Native American communities in northern regions, where surviving the winter months was often a challenge. The Wendigo embodies the fear of starvation and the desperation that comes with it, acting as both a symbol of the harsh realities of nature and a reminder of the importance of maintaining one’s humanity in the face of adversity.
3. Spiritual Corruption:
   • Beyond physical hunger, the Wendigo represents spiritual and moral corruption. It embodies the idea that extreme acts of selfishness or cruelty can erode a person’s soul, turning them into something less than human. In this sense, the Wendigo is a powerful symbol of the darkness that can exist within people when they lose touch with their humanity.

Modern Interpretations

1. Horror and Popular Culture:
   • The Wendigo has become a popular figure in modern horror and fiction, where it is often portrayed as a supernatural predator or a monster that hunts humans in the wilderness. Its themes of cannibalism, isolation, and hunger resonate strongly in the horror genre, where the Wendigo represents both the dangers of the wilderness and the monstrous potential of human nature.
   • The creature has appeared in various books, films, and TV shows, such as Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary”, where the Wendigo is associated with a cursed burial ground, and “Until Dawn,” a video game where the Wendigo is the main antagonist.
2. Psychological Interpretations:
   • In modern psychological discussions, the term “Wendigo” has been used to describe a mental illness known as Wendigo psychosis, where individuals experience an intense craving for human flesh, often accompanied by delusions and paranoia. While the existence of this disorder is debated, it highlights the deep psychological fear surrounding cannibalism and loss of control.
3. Environmental Symbolism:
   • In contemporary interpretations, the Wendigo is sometimes viewed as a symbol of environmental destruction and unsustainable consumption. The creature’s endless hunger and destructive behavior are seen as metaphors for the dangers of overexploitation of natural resources and the environmental consequences of unchecked greed.

Conclusion

The Wendigo is a powerful figure in Algonquian mythology, symbolizing the dangers of cannibalism, greed, and spiritual corruption. As a creature of the wilderness, it represents the harsh realities of life in the northern forests, where survival can lead to desperate acts. The Wendigo serves as a warning against the loss of humanity in the face of hunger, isolation, and greed, and its influence can still be seen in modern horror and popular culture.

Description

Wendigo is a Native American creature or spirit originating from the Algonquian mythologies. The wendigo is a malevolent spirit which influence humans to commit acts of murder and cannibalization. 

Usually wendigos are said to possess people who in desperation turns to cannibalism to survive. When possessed an individual is often said to turn to beast slowly over time reflecting the wilderness of consuming the flesh of their own. 

There are cases when the wendigo is described more as a creature. In indigenous representations they were usually depicted as a giant humanoid with a heart of ice. A foul stench and/ or an unseasonable chill may precede its approach.

When these giants ate people they are said to grow in proportion to the person they ate.

Currently they are commonly depicted with antlers and hooves however the original depictions lacked this.