The RatFiles writes “Hollywood tells you it’s a spirit, a possessive force that takes over the body of a man, desperate to survive. In doing so, it drives him to insatiable hunger, a taste for human flesh. Cannibalism. Where did this idea come from? If the original story of the Wendigo is rooted in the Algonquin and Iroquois Native Peoples, then shouldn’t we turn to their history to know the truth of this creature first? If we did, we’d see their oldest legends did not call it a spirit, but a giant. A man-eating giant that brought fear to their hearts and decimation to their Tribes. A killer, until they were eradicated. BUT, if this is true, why did the story change? What was this creature, and why do we not tell the original stories now?”
Duke S
Not 100% on board with their conclusion, but good show. Ojibwa in northern Minnesota and up into Canada had a word for 5 different types, and Windigo was one of them. Mesabi was another, which means giant, so right there you know they are talking about giants AND Wendigo as 2 different things, since they also had Makwa Nina (Sasquatch), Tugawe (type 3/Gugwe), and Puck Wudj Ininees (little people/Puckwudgies) and were pretty specific about which was which.
Michele C
Thanks for the info, Duke, I always love hearing your input and knowledge!
pam
I agree with Michelle.
Nathan E
For impatient listeners, they get to the theme about 12:45.
Fun rundown of the wendigo/windigo legend and its permutations. More proof that when history becomes legend, the legend gets preference!
Nathan E
These folk also pay tribute to SC and Duke in their podcast “What Are True Giants?”.