QALUPALIK
QALUPALIK
inuit culture
Among the Inuit people of Alaska and northern Canada, there is a legend which tells of humanoid creatures that live in the water and hunt along the shorelines. These are the Qalupalik, who dwell in the cold Arctic waters.
The origin of the Qalupalik tales can be traced back to the oral traditions of the Inuit people, which have been passed down through generations. Inuit folklore is rich with stories and legends that serve various cultural and educational purposes. The Qalupalik stories are often used as cautionary tales, warning children to stay away from the dangerous sea ice and open water. The stories emphasize the importance of staying safe and being cautious around the unpredictable Arctic environment.
They are said to have a generally human-like shape but express many features of the aquatic life found in the area. The Qalupalik are described as having long hair that resembles seaweed, fins on their heads or backs and limbs, and webbed hands and feet. On their webbed hands are long and sharp claws that help it to capture and eviscerate its prey.
According to the tales, the Qalupalik lets out an ethereal humming sound unlike that of any other creature that lives along the shore. This humming sound serves as a warning to everyone that they must move away from the ocean and back to safety. Those who disregard the hair-raising hunting call of this creature will be snatched by its deadly claws and dragged into the water.
The Qalupalik wears upon its back a large pouch called an amautik. This is a traditional accessory for Inuit parents, which allows them to carry their children on their backs while they are out.
It is said that of all potential prey along the beaches and rocky water’s edge, the Qalupalik prefers to hunt children — especially those children who have failed to heed the words of caution from their parents and have found themselves alone.
In most accounts, abducted children are believed to be consumed by the Qalupalik, while alternative narratives mention a hidden underwater lair where the creature retains its victims. In this eerie sanctuary, the Qalupalik keeps its captives in a trance-like state, siphoning their life force over time. With each passing day, the creature grows stronger and more youthful, a process it relies on for its immortality and eternal youth.