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Wendigo
EntityQ370801· pop 37· linked from 287 articles

Also known as Windigo, wetiko

Wendigo () is a mythological creature or evil spirit originating from Algonquian folklore. The concept of the wendigo has been widely used in literature and other works of art, such as social commentary and horror fiction.

Key facts

Mythical creature.name
Wendigo
Mythical creature.Region
CanadaUnited States
Mythical creature.Grouping
Legendary creature
Mythical creature.Sub_Grouping
Algonquian

via Wikipedia infobox

~17 min read

Article

12 sections
Contents
  • Etymology
  • Folklore
  • Human cannibalism
  • Taboo reinforcement ceremony
  • Psychosis
  • As a concept or metaphor
  • In popular culture
  • See also
  • References
  • Citations
  • General and cited sources
  • External links

Wendigo () is a mythological creature or evil spirit originating from Algonquian folklore. The concept of the wendigo has been widely used in literature and other works of art, such as social commentary and horror fiction.

The wendigo is often said to be a malevolent spirit, sometimes depicted as a creature with human-like characteristics, who may possess human beings. It is said to cause its victims a feeling of insatiable hunger, the desire to eat other humans, and the propensity to commit murder. In some representations, the wendigo is described as a giant humanoid with a heart of ice, whose approach is signaled by a foul stench or sudden unseasonable chill.

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