Igaluk : The Moon God

Igaluk or Anningan

Introduction

According to the legend of the Inuit, Igaluk was a man who lived on Earth. He once forced himself upon a woman in the village’s dance hall after the lights went out. However, after the lights came back on, he realized that she was his sister.

Igaluk’s sister Malina, who was very angry at him, cut off her breasts and threw them at him. Her brother then went looking for her, but he tripped and fell into the snow. His torch, which was still glowing, left an ember.

The wind carried both of them up into the sky. Malina, who had her bright torch still shining, became the sun, while her brother, whose fading light was still visible, became the moon. The moon continued chasing his sister as she tried to avoid him, while the sun continued to rise.

Physical Traits

Igaluk is said to have had the characteristic features of an Inuit male before reaching the skies and transforming into the all powerful moon.

Family

According to the legend, Igaluk and his sister, Malina, lived together in a village. However, as they grew older, they started to separate and live in separate lodges for women and men. One day, while looking at the women, he noticed that his sister was the most beautiful. He then snuck into their dwelling after the lamp had been extinguished, and he discovered her by the unique textures and feel of her clothes and proceeded to mate with her.

Other Names

Igaluk is more commonly referred to as Anningan, Aningan or as Aningaaq in Greenland.

Powers and Abilities

According to the indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, and Greenland (where he is known as Aningan), he is the supreme, divine being that rules over natural phenomena.

Modern Day Influence

The Inuit tribes across North America and Greenland continue to place a lot of importance in their traditions and attribute all natural phenomenon with Igaluk who is their most powerful god. They still attribute the lunar eclipse with the fact that Igaluk was finally able to catchup with Malina for a brief union