In Eskimo lore, Angiaks are believed to be the children of the living dead.
The creation of an Angiak typically occurs during times of extreme hardship, such as famine or scarcity of resources, when a newborn baby is deemed unwanted or burdensome to the tribe’s survival. In such cases, the elders of the tribe may make the grim decision to take the infant out into the snow to die of exposure.
However, if the tribe remains in the same area after the child’s death, they may find themselves haunted by the restless spirit of the Angiak. Each night, the Angiak returns to its former home, seeking sustenance and strength by suckling at its mother’s breast, despite being deceased. Once it has gathered enough strength, the Angiak seeks vengeance upon the elders who condemned it to die.
According to Eskimo belief, one way to potentially prevent the creation of an Angiak is to refrain from naming the child before its death. In this tradition, it is believed that a human acquires a soul only after being given a name. By withholding a name from the infant, it is hoped that its spirit will not become restless and seek revenge after death.
The concept of Angiaks reflects the cultural beliefs and practices of Eskimo communities, illustrating their understanding of the spiritual world and the consequences of certain actions, particularly in times of hardship and necessity. These stories serve as cautionary tales about the importance of compassion, responsibility, and the treatment of the vulnerable within the community.
Origin | Eskimo
