Are legends of mermaids and mermen based on something real? If so, stories dating back to the first writings are nothing like the Little Mermaid.
Sinde 1988, more than 16,000 people have vanished in a triangular area, the “Bermuda Triangle of Alaska.” The missing person rate is twice the national average, with four missing person reports for every 1,000 people.
When Alaskans go missing, the search area can be as large as entire states in the lower 48. Thus, state troopers rarely find any trace of bodies, either dead or alive. Worse, the rugged wilderness makes finding missing persons all the more unlikely.
For the native Inuit culture, it’s thought at least some disappearances are attributed to supernatural beings.
Mermaids and Mermen of Inuit Legends
For our purposes, we will refer to these legends as mermaids and mermen. However, the stories are quite unlike what we tend to think of as merfolk.
For example, Qalupalik is said to have green skin and enjoys snatching children away should they get too close to the water. Inuit sea goddess has many names with unique mythologies. These beings may be helpful to humans or extremely dangerous.
For example, hunters tried to appease Sedna so their hunts would be fruitful. She controls all sea life from her home at the bottom of the ocean. Strangely, seals, walruses, fish, and whales sprang from her severed fingers. Her father cut them off to save himself from drowning, according to one telling.
- Sedna
- Nuliayuk
- Taluliyuk
- Taleelayuk
- Qalupalik
https://twitter.com/Qikiqtani_Inuit/status/1283757712317218818?s=20
https://twitter.com/sednaepic/status/1137460801759993856?s=20
Qalupalik is said to have long hair and long fingernails and wears an amautik. This Inuit parka has a pouch for holding babies. Not exactly a Disney character…
https://twitter.com/sednaepic/status/793197417730412544?s=20
Parents in the northern Arctic told the story to children to discourage them from wandering off. If they get too close to the sea, the Qualupalik could take them away in her pouch to raise as her own.
Thus, it’s similar in that way to the stories of the Namahage in Japan or the Krampus in Germany. By telling the stories, parents can discourage bad behavior.
See more about the Qualupalik from the Nunavut Animation Lab.
Is Qalupalik Moving South?
With greenish, webbed hands, Qalupalik snatches away both children and adults. Using a pouch-like garment, they hold their victims as they head back to the water.
Stories of the Qalupalik originate in the northernmost regions, but now it appears the creatures could be moving further south in search of prey.
As climate change affects the Arctic, sightings further south are reported. Could it be due to the movements of potential prey like salmon? It’s one theory. Today, salmon are disappearing from much of their ranges and getting smaller. Maybe, that’s pressuring Qalupalik into more populated areas.
Read More – Mermaids and Mermen: Are Ancient Legends of Sea Goddesses in Alaska True?
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