Qallupilluit : The Humming Troll
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At a glance
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Inuit Mythology |
| Classification | Hybrids |
| Family Members | N/A |
| Region | Greenland |
| Associated With | Child Abduction |
Qallupilluit
Introduction
In Inuit mythology, the Qallupilluit is a creature that’s said to kidnap children who misbehave or do not listen to their parents. This is meant to keep children away from the water and the edge of the ice where other natural predators exist in the sub zero regions of North America. If children are found alone at the edge of the ice, the Qallupilluit is said to stuff them into its amautik, which is the traditional parka worn by the Inuits, before drowning them in the water.
The Qallupilluit, which is also known as the Qalupalik, is a frightening creature that inhabits the Arctic waters and is regarded as incredibly ugly and smells strongly of sulphur. What they do with the captured children is the subject of some debate, but no proposed scenario is good. At worst, they eat the children to remain immortal with their nourishing youth. At best, they put them under a sleeping spell and hide them in icy caves for eternity.
Physical Traits
Although it’s generally believed that the Qallupilluit is a humanoid man-eater, there are conflicting reports about its appearance and gender. Some believe that it’s a feminine creature that uses children to maintain its long, flowing hair. The Qallupilluit looks like a scary mermaid with its rough skin and greenish-blue colour. It also has long, straight hair that’s as black as it is curly. Its spines and claws are also long and they have fins coming out of its spines and back.
Family
The Qallupilluit does not have a family of its own and some stories talk about how since she cannot have children, she kidnaps human babies to raise as her own.
Other Names
The Qallupilluit is also commonly known as Qalupalik in some regions of Northern Canada.
Powers and Abilities
Many historians believe that the Qallupilluit is the Inuit version of the Boogeyman, who is the more famous North American counterpart. The Qallupilluit lives beneath waters with thin ice, and will use the shallowness to its advantage. It does this by knocking on the ice at the shallowest parts, luring children above ground to the noise and then capturing them when they cause the ice to break.
Another version of this story also says that the Qallupilluit attracts children towards it by humming powerfully alluring melodies in their direction, and when they get close, the creature snatches children with it’s amauti and runs away with the child.
Modern Day Influence
The story of the Qallupilluit is still widely told and retold among the Inuit community. A very popular illustrated children’s book called The Orphan and The Qallupilluit has been the main source for visual imagery about the beast and its activities for the modern generation. This story is still used to dissuade children from walking on thin ice and going to where the water breaks even today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Qallupilluit?
Qallupilluit is a Yupik word that refers to a malevolent spirit or monster in Inuit mythology. The pronunciation is approximately “kal-loo-pil-loo-it”.
What does Qalupalik do to kids?
Qallupalik is a malevolent Inuit spirit that lures children away from their homes. He is known to drown or eat them. The threat of Qallupalik is used to scare children into behaving.
What is the legend of Qalupalik?
Qallupalik is a malevolent Inuit spirit that lures children away from their homes. He is known to drown or eat them. The threat of Qallupalik is used to scare children into behaving.
What is Qalupalik's weakness?
Qallupalik, the Inuit spirit, is a formidable threat with no known specific weakness. However, loud noises or large groups of people may scare him away.
What does the qalupalik look like?
Qallupalik is often described as a large, bearded creature with webbed hands and feet. He may also have a long, protruding tongue and a repulsive odor. Some accounts depict him as having a seal-like face or a combination of human and animal features.
