Is the Adlet the first werewolf?
Werewolves are one of the most popular and terrifying creatures in folklore and fiction. They are humans who can transform into wolves, usually under the influence of the full moon. They are often associated with violence, savagery, and bloodlust. But where did the idea of werewolves come from? And are they related to other half-human, half-animal beings in mythology?
One of the candidates for the origin of werewolves is the Adlet, a creature from Inuit mythology. The Adlet (or Erqigdlet) are the offspring of an Inuit woman and a giant red dog. According to the legend, the woman was lonely and married the dog, who turned out to be a spirit in disguise. She gave birth to 15 children, five of whom were dogs and ten of whom were Adlet.
The Adlet had the upper body of a human and the lower body of a wolf or dog. They were very fast and agile, and had a voracious appetite for meat. They also had a hostile relationship with their father, who tried to kill them several times. The mother eventually sent her children away on a raft across the sea. The Adlet landed on an unknown land and became the ancestors of the Europeans. The dogs stayed with their mother and became the ancestors of the Native Americans.
How are the Adlet different from werewolves?
While both the Adlet and werewolves are half-human, half-wolf creatures, they have many differences that make them distinct from each other. Some of these differences are:
- The Adlet are not shapeshifters. They are born with their hybrid form and do not change it. Werewolves, on the other hand, can switch between human and wolf forms, usually triggered by the full moon or other factors.
- The Adlet are not cursed or infected. They are natural beings who inherit their traits from their parents. Werewolves, on the other hand, are often portrayed as victims of a curse or a bite that transforms them into monsters against their will.
- The Adlet are not solitary or secretive. They live in packs and have a culture and a language of their own. Werewolves, on the other hand, are often isolated and hide their true nature from others.
- The Adlet are not evil or monstrous. They are simply hunters who need to feed on meat to survive. Werewolves, on the other hand, are often depicted as violent and savage killers who lose their humanity when they transform.
What can we learn from the Adlet myth?
The Adlet myth is a fascinating example of how different cultures imagine and explain the origins of human diversity and animal behavior. It also reflects some of the values and beliefs of the Inuit people, such as:
- The importance of family and kinship, as shown by the bond between the mother and her children, and the loyalty among the siblings.
- The respect for nature and animals, as shown by the recognition of the spirit in the dog, and the harmony between the dogs and their mother.
- The fear of strangers and enemies, as shown by the conflict between the father and his children, and the hostility between the Adlet and the Europeans.
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post about the Adlet myth. If you want to know more about such fascinating stories and characters from Inuit mythology, stay tuned for our next post.
