Wendigo: The Cannibalistic Spirit of Native American Folklore

[@MythologyFictionExplained]

This one took longer than planned, I got sick half way through recording so you can hear the change in my voice throughout.

[@omarsongaming3255]

Mythology & Fiction Explained it’s ok bro.hope you get better.

[@vanaheimstories7530]

I've created a story involving the Wendigo's. And this video has helped me make my story better.

[@heidibevan1916]

@@vanaheimstories7530 Will you be sharing your story with us?? 😊 I for one would like to hear or read it 😊

[@annetteh.1348]

Great job on this video, hope you feel better...👏👍👍

[@vanaheimstories7530]

Heidi Bevan I don’t have much written down but the story I can tell you

[@theinterspeciesreviewer7400]

Being a native American myself, the wendigo is my favorite legend along with the thunderbird. Really enjoyed the video.

[@ostrowulf]

I am first generation Canadian, but grew up in a locatation where there is heavy integration of the local tribe and those around (to the point that taking the local traditional language was an available option in the public school, regardless of ethnicity). As such Sniniq is my favorite.

[@jackiesantos2121]

Oh good for you there's an American to speak over their favorite mythical creature is

[@brycegoode8935]

I like the Thunderbird and Skin Walkers plus the sport animals. I used to love to go to my great grandmother and hear her stories

[@sonyag5249]

👊So glad the Thunderbird is no longer only a legend.🔥🦅👊

[@DespairDoctor]

Same. In one of my stories, I'm using a theory that it's a demon that invaded a dead body that can cause winter weather.

[@thecrookedman7701]

I found out about the Wendigo from my mother and grandfather, who had lived next to a very large forested area. They told me that while I was in those woods not to listen to anything but the sounds of nature and not to listen to anything I may hear in my time out there because there was a creature they called the wendigo, that could mimic the voice of anyone, including my mother and grandfather and even myself, after they told me that I would find myself looking off into the woods and often see something out of the corner of my eye, then I just brushed it off as a story, but one day as I was in the woods, pretty deep in I would say, I heard my mother calling out to me, “Hunter it’s time to come home”, I was walking in the direction I knew our house was, then I remembered what my mother and grandfather had told me about the creature and its mimicking nature. I stopped, dead in my tracks, feeling as if I was being watched as a cold sensation rushed up my spine. I knew I wasn’t alone, at least not now. I started walking again, then a full sprint, I heard my mother’s voice again, this time much more stern, “Hunter! Get Yer Ass Home, Yer Food’s gettin Cold” I knew it wasn’t her, I was out of earshot, I knew it. But after that I heard a monstrous screeching coming from in front of me, just out of eyesight I feared was the source, I stopped. I looked around me, no longer feeling the fear I had. I closed my eyes and all I did was just scream into the emptiness of the woods. I heard my grandfather this time, “You shouldn’t be alone out there, come back”. All I did was scream back, not like I was saying something, but like I was alerting someone or even trying to make it just leave, I know now that doesn’t work. But in those few ballsy minutes, I kept running, it wouldn’t be too long before I got home. It kept speaking, I nearly reached my house when I looked up into the trees and thought it my be my final resting place, But I made it home, remarkably, unscathed, at least physically, I told my mother and grandfather what had happened. My mother told me I was very lucky to had survived, the creature had let me leave the woods and if the wendigo wanted to, it would have killed me the second I entered the woods. My grandfather said it stalks its prey, sometimes for hours. But the most horrifying part of this story wasn’t being stalked in the woods, no, it was a few, I’d say three nights later, I was staring into woods, knowing what the hell was really there, I heard it, my mother’s voice, followed by the turning of the locked door knob, “Let me in hunter” my eyes opened wide to see the door knob violently shaking, then just stop, the voices did too, in that moment I turned my head to see my mother sleeping on the couch in the living room. I looked back out the window cause I’m sure as hell ain’t walking the fuck out there, I peered into the darkness at the borderline of trees outside the small house where we lived, and I swore that I could see a pale sickly person, squatting in the trees, just do disappear as fast as I blinked.

[@h-bombjurina2923]

Wow! That's intense!

[@nekomataumbreon]

There's a wendigo who walks through my yard on the coldest night of the year (it used to be almost every time it snowed, but global warming has stopped the temps from reaching below zero until mid winter) and I named him Walter.

[@Wishuk112]

I'm having nightmares tonight

[@aanteater861]

@@nekomataumbreon 🤣 jesse what the hella have I been smoking

[@LisaAnn777]

They can be killed. Hunt it down and shoot it.

[@patrikoberstar158]

So Until Dawns Wendigos are more accurate then modern interpretations? Damn.

[@redrubyrose618]

Yes, they did a much better job at it lol

[@carrotdtop_1]

Yes and way more accurate than the marvel wendigo

[@CMTechnica]

Better than SPN, actually

[@RebirthMortalComics]

Wendigo was my favorite part of the game

[@darryljack6612]

I loved that game

[@3hpleft]

I would love to see more native American folklore

[@marykay8587]

The Coast Salish have something alitttle different than the Wendigo, it's an old decrepit lady who gathers young children who feasts on their flesh, forever living where her hunger is never satisfied

[@ingloriousbetch4302]

There's sack woman, the little people and many more from my people, the tsalagi

[@chrisabshire82]

It's not folklore. Just native American lore

[@deathbydeviceable]

@@marykay8587 so the government

[@deathbydeviceable]

@@chrisabshire82 technically they're all the same gods as other religions, just different interpretations

[@anari234]

One part that seems to have been missed is that the spirit is also supposed to be a trickster. It will try and make you get lost in the woods.

[@McHaxercid]

Trixxxter

[@kinkgirl88]

Yea from the book “Things that never were” I’ve been looking for that version for ages but I can only find this one!

[@garyisgaming1224]

If I don't go into the forest then I won't get lost *Big brain tactics*

[@andrewart5343]

It can micmic human's voices

[@zodiacqueen4523]

5:22 i got tingles from that.

[@PlutoniumBoss]

"Wendigo Fever" sounds like the sort of prion disease one might get from cannibalism.

[@myragroenewegen5426]

Or possibly from wasting starvation in the cold. I think this idea of people who become delirious with hunger in cold weather suddenly insisting they are burning hot and stripping is a medical situation I've heard described amoung starving European explorers and lost and starving modern hikers. It's a thing.

[@geckohecko]

@@myragroenewegen5426 that is real but it's not due to hunger. It's a symptom of hypothermia

[@geckohecko]

Also prions are so fascinating

[@myragroenewegen5426]

@@geckohecko Ah. Yes. That makes sense.

[@funnilyenough7340]

Wendigo psychosis is a actual label used for cannibalism or cannibals

[@Asurendra777]

Cannibalism can be a metaphor. We eat ourselves when we give in to unquenchable thirst of desire... The more we have, the more we want.

[@heidibevan1916]

Very deep & thought provoking indeed 😊

[@siervodedios5952]

Ain't that the truth.

[@JoeSmith-sl9bq]

I think the cannibalism stood for cannibalism, as the people who told these stories faced times of starvation, when it would be tempting to eat the weak of the tribe. Not everything has to be a metaphor

[@Asurendra777]

Most of the mythological stories ARE metaphors. That's the difference between myth and plain stories. Mythology is written in a way that it means something to the individual, not just for entertainment or even simply to mean a social situation. Now it is possible that in this case cannibalism may simply mean just that, but looking at all the other characteristics, it can be assumed that the character was created to symbolise greed and its nature.

[@josh420masterB]

This will never end cause I want more More, give me more, give me more

[@custink22]

Always loved wendigo mythology. It sort of reminds me of medieval and earlier stories of vampire, werewolf, and zombie like creatures from all over the world. Its cool how the mythology of so many places all feature similar but seperate stories. Sometimes makes me wonder what caused such stories to arise, and why so many are so similar despite coming from across oceans and ages.

[@Kiiieeechiii]

Maybe they’re real

[@custink22]

@@Kiiieeechiii maybe.

[@Wishuk112]

@@Kiiieeechiii or were real

[@izzy9441]

you probably find them springing up in different places because of word of moutb

[@carrotdtop_1]

Hey could you try to cover the four horsemen of the apocalypse or the nine circles of hell?

[@heidibevan1916]

That would be a really interesting vid 👍😄

[@sbmichele4440]

Yes!!!

[@hugoleonardoamaral586]

YES!!!

[@T.H.0601]

The thing with Christian an Muslim and whatever other religions are out there is that fanatics will start getting offended by his videos saying things like "There is only one true God and you disrespect the our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by talking about Him like you talk about those false Satanic creatures like Zeus and his band of sinful 'gods' " so as much as i would like to see a video about the four horsemen it would likely be too controversial and risky for him

[@Leafy1-j1l]

@@T.H.0601 I'm pretty sure most Christians can handle the idea that some of Revelations is allegorical. People don't honestly believe that four actual guys on actual horses will herald the end of days, just that war, famine, pestilence and death will be involved. Even people that take Genesis literally don't take the Four Horsemen literally.

[@ohno6594]

I feel like the stag is part of the symbolism of hunger, like the carcass of a dear that died in the winter, the flesh stripped off the skull by scavengers, thinking you've found a meal and then learning that someone's beaten you to it. The skeletal stag is a symbol of desperation

[@29gopikrishnap2]

what the hell am I even doing here at 12 in the morning....kiss that sweet sleep goodbye now .........

[@brilove9761]

Gopi Krishna Lmao 6 for me

[@29gopikrishnap2]

😂😂😂

[@andrewtallman1867]

I know, right? The Wendigo is one of the few monsters I find legitimately scary

[@annettecurran1542]

Twelve in the morning would be 12pm not at night

[@josephuy1976]

the bish wasnt welcome anyways bye a hole

[@camiloiribarren1450]

The wendigo version I first saw was in the X-Men cartoons described as a hairy beast that lived in the North America area

[@TheRedGyardos]

@bryan diaz varela HOW DOES ONE ACCIDENTALLY SPEAK IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE?!?!

[@Goldenheart_345]

@@TheRedGyardos oh my god sometimes I'll accidentally start speaking spanish and I won't even realize it until they tell me it's so confusing

[@lifeasiseeit1]

Lone ranger for me

[@skimtb1040]

The north american area is a pretty vague area

[@kaleoy7584]

I'd marry Camilo.

[@tikayle9130]

You mentioned a connection between wendigos and skinwalker. While they share some similarities like the mimicry of voices to draw out their prey, as well as the creepy sub-human appearance, they're quite different. A wendigo is, as you mentioned, generally believed to be an evil spirit. A skinwalker, on the other hand, is a human witch or warlock who performs a ritual to be able to transform into an animal. We know little about the ritual, but we know it supposedly involves murdering a family member. The whole act to become a skinwalker is unnatural, thus, any of their animal forms are twisted. This twisted sickly appearance is probably what caused the confusion between a skinwalker and a wendigo.

[@aaronengland8289]

They can be both. Our folks had legends of witches like that. A lesser known story passed down from a medicine man who hunted them told that one of the ways they achieved their abilities was through "ejecting" their spirits from their bodies. In other words they were both a witch and a spirit. I know of at least one other tribe that spoke of using similar methods.

[@tikayle9130]

@@aaronengland8289 Very interesting to know! I've read quite a few things on the stories related to both creatures, but they're never very complete. I sincerely apologize for having something wrong, and I highly appreciate you providing more detailed information!

[@aaronengland8289]

Now that's not from the Dene. That's one of the stories from the Cherokee. Our witches are very similar to skinwalker but they go by a different name. the other tribe that talked about using a method like that was from Mexico. Don't take my word on it but I vaguely recall hearing somewhere that the druids used a similar method to attain those abilities. However that does add a new thought to the subject. If these people can disconnect their spirits from their bodies what exactly happens when they die? Some of these shapeshifting witches that people are running into might already be dead.

[@tikayle9130]

@@aaronengland8289 That's honestly a pretty terrifying thought. I don't think anyone wants an evil spirit capable of mimicking their loved ones wandering about. Even if they can't take a corporeal form, they aren't going to be a good thing to have hanging around.

[@aaronengland8289]

spirits can manifest into a physical form when it suits them. That would explain why the stories make them out to be almost immortal and how they have the ability to appear in one place, vanish, and then reappear somewhere else. I mean if a regular old spirit in your house can attack you then there's no telling what a spirit THAT powerful can do. I had one that followed me around for years. Most of the time it would either take the form of an animal or would choose to be invisible. Even when it was invisible it's energy was so strong that it would draw your focus to where he was. You could literally "see" him without actually seeing him lol. Anyway, in the story I was referring to earlier the medicine man fired sacred arrows at them that would "mark" them and send their spirits back to where they came from. In one part of the story he followed one of the "spirits" back to an old man who was sitting motionless and appeared to be in some kind of trance. The spirit descended and just as it entered the man he fired another arrow through his heart.

[@Evilgood1]

I was actually reading up on the Wendigo about a week or so ago. Its modern interpretation with the antlers seems to originate from the 2001 movie “Wendigo.” I couldn’t find any stag Wendigo references before that. Though I do find it interesting that this particular version of the Wendigo somewhat resembles the Minotaur (Horned, hooved, humanoid with sharp teeth and a taste for human flesh).

[@matthewgarcia8211]

Really I always thought it was because sometimes deer can be seen eating bones

[@Evilgood1]

Matthew Garcia They do occasionally, but I wouldn’t think it often enough to picture them as being carnivorous, especially considering that this area is within the range of wolves, cougars, and bears. That could actually be the point, though: it’s something that shouldn’t be eating what it is eating.

[@davidkulmaczewski4911]

Stephen King included a suspected Wendigo in his book Pet Sematary. He described it as being large, yellow-skinned, with a forked tongue and "horns in place of ears". He described the horns as being curled like a ram's horn, *not* branched like a stag's horn, though. Pet Sematary was published in 1983.

[@TheBrendon67]

Ah, Supernatural’s wendigo episode is still one of my favourites!

[@Quaronna]

👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@SzaraWilk]

The "wendigo" with skull head of deer its really a Leshy, sacred spirit of slavic folklore. And Leshy don't make people a canibals. He just kill them sometimes.

[@dexter7266]

Just because they're similar doesn't mean there the same wendigo is its own thing. Stop being a culture vulture 😂

[@SzaraWilk]

@@dexter7266 why you think I'm a vulture?

[@dexter7266]

@@SzaraWilk google the term it's free 😂😂

[@frijoleswithbeanss]

It’s for wendigos too, they’re both from different cultures

[@tallycat353]

Leshy usually aren't portrayed with a deer skull face, that was popularized by a videogame. Often it was just an old man with branching antlers

[@ravensbanebow1293]

Wendigo Psychosis is a legitimate thing, whether it’s a proper labeling is up for debate. The fact is that human flesh has addictive properties. To the point that after being forced to eat it, people who had no experience of cannibalism beforehand, would go on to prefer to eat it even if they had plenty of other provisions. Also, the experience itself and repetition of it, of course, would have negative mental effects. The general wendigo curse describes someone going through this after being starved, which is far more influential on someone mentally than people normally give it credit for. Look no further than the story of Alexander Pearce for the best example of everything I’ve said. “A Full Belly is prerequisite to all manner of good. Without that, no man knows, what hunger will make him do.”

[@BULLTRONHERO]

Lucas Stokes The only medically accurate/acceptable (and linguistically punchier) term that every smart person in the world would even consider using is the word I just now very impressively portmanteau'd like a genius: -Wendichosis, n. - Some made-up bullshit that I started typing because I'm drunk and on drugs and at this point I forgot what I was going to say, so fuck it. ex.: "I was bored so I kicked over a bunch of stuff in my house and when my girlfriend said that maybe I should quit drinking or something I spontaneously developed a really fun case of Wendichosis and set her favorite shoes on fire on my way out the door to the Liquor Store." -The End

[@candacecasey5634]

Hmm I wonder if there is something that a person can eat that will make their flesh less " tasty".

[@candacecasey5634]

@@BULLTRONHERO That comment was neither clever , articulate or well thought out. I am however convinced that you really are " drunk".

[@BULLTRONHERO]

Candace Casey Well, you’re right on three counts- however, my previous stupid comment could objectively be described as “articulate”.

[@elisabethandersen1102]

Exactly what properties of human flesh is addictive? Eating closely related species like other humans or primates give us Prion disease, which is like Mad Cow Disease. It can cause hallucinations, but there's nothing in any meat that would cause someone to become physiologically dependant upon it. Cows milk for example has caseomorphins in it, that causes added satiation when eaten, but it's not like you're going to go into dairy withdrawal if you suddenly stop eating cheese.

[@dhgodzilla1]

There are also links with Shapeshifting Legends & the Dogman with the Wendigo as well. If a Shaman with the abillity to shapeshift were to eat human flesh or fall into his darker nature over time he could become a Wendigo.

[@sciencewizard2861]

you're thinking of a skin walker. skinwalkers are basically evil shamans

[@UlmoLOTR]

Many of the wendigo's traits are similar with the traits of the strigoi, a soul/life energy sucking creature in romanian mythology. Stigoi gradually feeds on a person, night after night, and this person shows symptoms of physical and mental weakness, and slight body modification. After their death, they become strigoi too.

[@m3ntallyd3fficient11]

Well in the wendigo's case, yeah, They might fuck with you for a while, mimicking voices of loved ones, killing things around you etc. But they dont suck the soul/life out of you over a period of time, they just straight up kill and eat you whenever they decide to. Fortunately, if you get killed by a wendigo, you dont turn into one

[@tinagoli2022]

sorry that this is late, but how do you feel about the strigoi being characterized as vampires?

[@UlmoLOTR]

@@tinagoli2022 I don't see a problem. A vampire is any creature that consumes the life force of the living. Only in recent times a vampire is seen as a strictly blood-drinker. And the strigoi sometimes drinks blood too, or even eats flesh.

[@BryceMousseau]

The "modern" Wendigo was created by Stephen King in his novel Pet Semetay. He first described it in the modern interpretation

[@Das_Kaenguru]

Well...Kings Version got „rams horns“...antlers joined the game in 2001 with the movie „Wendigo“

[@Fede_uyz]

Wendigo, met this beast when i saw supernatural for the first time... truly terrifying creture

[@dear_totheheart]

Astounding, I would love for more videos on Native American mythology!

[@erythjaworowski9097]

Well if a living stag is fertility, plenty, etc. then a dead one could be to represent the lack of food, supplies, etc.

[@m4rdoo]

Well explained!

[@heidibevan1916]

I hope that your feeling better, try to take it easy ye bt I'm sure that everyone here really appreciates your efforts & your dedication. I have heard of the Wendigo/Windigo meny time's, I really do enjoy the Mythology from around the world & I look forward to the next chapter of your channel, is the person that you referred to Legends of History? 👍😃

[@thelegendsofhistory]

... Maybe 😏

[@heidibevan1916]

@@thelegendsofhistory 😂😅 so that's a yes then 😂😅

[@cielomarie7423]

I love this, while it’s not from my tribe it’s incredible. I’ve had goosebumps the entire time listening to this, my friends are from this tribe and we’re terrified of these creatures (saying their name is bad luck)

[@thewillowtree727]

What is your tribe? I'm Ojibwe.

[@marykay8587]

I'm cree & my people also believe in the Wendigo

[@McHaxercid]

My damn kokum said that if you say wendigo 3 times its gonna come get you..... She used to say that to stop me from saying wendigo, think she didnt want us to have bad luck

[@eh_canadian]

Mahti you can't even say it or it will come for you. It's deadly.

[@candacecasey5634]

That explains why there are different pronunciations that don't really sound similar.

[@dank_smirk9971]

First heard of the Wendigo through the show "Lost Tapes". It's good shit.

[@shadowknight7750]

I used to watch that show. To bad they cancelled it.

[@Emperor_Oshron]

@@shadowknight7750 i think it was more that they just didn't renew for another season. same difference, i guess :P i love that cheesefest XDDDDD anyone reading this who hasn't seen it, go watch the Wendigo episode of Lost Tapes. all the episodes are self-contained and this one is a genuinely scary episode in a mostly corny series.

[@esppupsnkits4560]

That’s my favorite episode

[@dank_smirk9971]

ESP Aspie my second favourite, my number one is the Reptilian episode

[@esppupsnkits4560]

Dank_Smirk that one was a little weird for me.

[@MamaMythos]

Well done! The wendigo is such an interesting subject and story. I loved uncovering it on a pop culture scale! Also saw that you are sick so I hope you feel better soon!

[@MissLlah]

I heard of Wendigo when I was small. I am part Native, spending time in their communities when I was young.... There was talk of the Wendigo.

[@JohannesVanDerStuyvebode]

Tell me more, tell me more 🎵

[@kallehobbe81]

I would also ask that you tell us more.

[@MeatGoblin88]

elizabeth warren?

[@dirtylaundry8949]

I heard of wendigos because of supernatural

[@eoghanhoban2557]

dirty laundry what a show

[@depletedarsenal8990]

It was the show Lost Tapes for me. I had dvds of that show when I was younger.

[@abrahamalvarez8692]

@@depletedarsenal8990 I just rediscovered the show and found out how cheesy the show really was. But some episodes still creep me out including the Wendigo episode.

[@winterknight4307]

Same lol

[@cloud8624]

YES

[@MrJakeKale]

What did the man say when he realised his cannibalistic Native American spirit friend had left? "When'd he go?"

[@vegetafan9922]

Boooo!!!

[@barrywhiteofnewyork5949]

You my friend are what's commonly referred to as a "pisser."

[@stephenrego6065]

Wendigo is my favorite folklore creature. Personally, in design i like a hybrid between classic and modern interpretations. The wendigo is a lanky, boney, emaciated humanoid with sunken eyes and nasty fangs, but it wears a stag's skull and antlers as a mask.

[@Luckytarianism]

Totally stoked on the upcoming series! The success of your channel has grown quite a bit and you're well deserving of it! Cheers!

[@dwightschrute3712]

I always believed that the Wendigo was from Stephen King's 'Pet Sematary.' I had no idea it was an actual folk-tale.

[@Johnlindsey289]

Yes it was the creature who possessed church, gage, Tommy and more

[@ActualLiteralKyle]

Woah! Did anyone else think of the undead-bear-creature from “Annihilation” at the sight of the Modern Wendigo with that deer skull?

[@doodoofish]

Yeah, especially the sound it made to draw out people.

[@greyworld6242]

I like the stag look more.

[@fluffygoat9175]

Grey World same

[@艾雯丽]

Grey World ikr

[@Wilting_Wallflower]

Same

[@darth_kaldra960]

Looks way cooler

[@TheDementedPalkia]

Yea, way cooler and unique looking.

[@zenith110]

Welp, I've found my new boss monster for my D&D campaign. Thanks a ton! Gotta write it up now.

[@shannonreynolds624]

This is very interesting. I've been fascinated with Native American folklore and it's hard to find something that is well paced and interesting as well as informative. Another KZbin channel that talks about all sorts of things is Bedtime Stories and he has a video called The Lair of the Wendigo and it's also very good. When I think of Wendigo I think of consumption or over consumption, gluttony and greed because I remember a line from a kind of good movie Fallen Angels where the one guy asks 'can greed ever have enough and can gluttony ever be satisfied.' I don't know the answer to that but in the case of the Wendigo the answer would be no because the spirit will not allow it. The Donner party is interesting because even though this may not have been a thing in the western tribes, the Native American guides refused to resort to cannibalism and I'm wondering if maybe they also knew of the Wendigo or had a similar entity.

[@ravenofshadows2830]

Do the Jersey Devil next please!!!!

[@MAXX-py3nn]

Yes Yes Yes !!!!

[@knightwarrior1058]

That would be awesome. I just saw something on The Jersey devil not to long ago on The History channel.

[@fearthereaper4792]

The Jersey devil has a great backstory. Would love to see a video on him.

[@mr.wonderful9281]

I would like to see that too.

[@dragonmaster601]

Yes please !!!!!

[@monkeydigs6696]

I live in NH and often out of the corner of my eye I see flashes at the edge of my treeline. It's been snowing for about 2 days straight (look it up) and I hear thumps on my roof at night. I never dare to go outside at night. I always feel as if there is a presence there right outside on my deck. The choking aura. i've seen footprints in the snow. I know something or someone is out there. One night I woke up on I saw the snow on my deck. And I saw straight outside, bare humanoid footprints in the virgin snow. It looked as if it walked on to the deck stood straight and looked into the window and then bolted back into the forest. It looked as if it walked while on the deck and then ran into the forest. There was about 5ft apart from each foot

[@mikemcwilliams2735]

I believe the wendigo was a way for the tribes elders / chief to keep the young indians in check and to stay with the tribe even in very harsh winters. Which is important because in winter the chief can't send a hunting party after you if you jump ship, supplies are limited. Also, they need the young warriors to stay with the tribe as "workers". Your now at the mercy of the elements (very hungry wolves), yourself, your past, the wendigo.

[@jacopoarmini7889]

I think the modern Wendigo looks like a stag both because of some sort of ideosyncrathic relationship with Cernunnos and the fact that stag horns remind of tree branches, as some weird form of concealment in its natural habitat.

[@jaydee4074]

So thats why when im in the woods i get an eerie feeling

[@gauravkumar7331]

No, it’s because your in the woods

[@FUNKU90]

Something about it makes my southern spine chill...

[@BurttheBard]

Dude, this is awesome!

[@felixdelgado9909]

Who else’s is here after watching until dawn Lol

[@angeloffish]

Just found your channel. I’m loving your video. Looking forward to more.

[@SuperPutzPutz]

I first read about the Wendigo in Farley Mowat's book called People of the Deer. There was another chapter about spirits that spooked me back around 1975 when I read it. One night I heard strange noises outside of my basement window soon after reading this section of the book. I was terrified that spirits were coming for me while I was in my bed. It took a few years until I realized what the noises were, they were just 2 male cats about to fight and that was the noises they make, pretty scary if you don't know what that is and may not have been a coincidence it happened at that time for a reason, but tell your little children about these cat noises. About 25 years later I read the book again and strange thing is that it was not the same as I remember it, not even close! I will bookmark your channel homepage, thanks.

[@dorianzane2548]

In 'Hannibal', I believe the wendigo hallucination having antlers made it double as a symbol of Cernunnos. By associating Hannibal Lecter with a god of the hunt, it visually communicated that he's the most formidable serial killer in the series. So, that's an explantion for the antlers in that show, but portraying wendigos with antlers predates the show, so I still have no idea where the image originally came from.

[@johnrobertkuznak]

I had some kind of encounter of a forest entity this past August. Maybe even the Wendigo . I’am not too sure What I know is that it was a full moon I was out at my family cabin, with my two best friends. And they are brother: . We live in NW.Ontario Canada. It was past midnight and we were down at the lake , having a fire with some good chats and cold beers . It started off my wolf howling. And for all my years being up at my family cabin. I’ve never heard wolf howling that close to my family cabin. And we had a big fire . It howled across the bay once . Moments later it was across the lake with a second howl. We had the feeling it was just at the break of the light from our fire. Was so damn quite . My friend started to acting very strange. Like he was in a trance. Then he got out of it . He wasn’t acting the same whatsoever. He kept on hanging out his tongue even when I told him to stop . He couldn’t stop doing it . He even tried hiding it from me by turning away then having his tongue out . He even looked different. After some time watching him he can back to his regular self . I told him about what he was doing and his automated actions. He has no memory of this at all. He also was pissing in places like marking territory. So damn weird We also heard an owl hoot very close to us . Two animals that are close to the spirit realm. There’s more to this as well. But anyways I found the experience freaky . And that my buddy has no memory at all of this . His brother was passed out in the truck during all this time .

[@Apnengfrer88]

The first time I heard about wendigo was the time when I watched a drama about a young man who obsessed about searching and killing the monster that killed his father in a forest none other than wendigo, depicted as a large, beast like look and can only be avoided by fire as the wendigo said to be afraid to flame

[@niamtxiv]

I'm not native American but I came fr a long line of shamanism. Before I knew about this creature, I had a dream about it. It was so scary. I was somewhere in the wood. The thing was grey, beef jerky looking, skinny, with a deer skull. I remember I was told, don't let your candle 🕯️ dies or this thing will see you. Honestly, it was scary

[@fauxfox7209]

I got chills when I read this. I also have never seen this creature, until a sleep paralysis/dream. I saw the wendigo crawling on my ceiling looking down at me. I found out years later it was a "spirit" exactly as others describe it. gaunt, skinny, with a deer skull.

[@abrahamaguayojr97]

I've never seen the modern day one I've seen the second one alot more.... Also I love your videos I'm into all subjects you discuss, before you I would research it which I still do. But your videos are a great help

[@PartialDemon]

Pretty much every Native American tribe that lived in areas with harsh winter conditions has a version of the Wendigo. For those interested in Wendigo psychosis I would suggest the 1999 movie "Ravenous" IMO its a great depiction of the possession side of things.

[@iancpowell]

I wonder how much the "modern" Wendigo was influenced by Marvel comics, or if that existed before Wolverine was introduced (Wolverine and Hulk fight a "Wendigo" in Wolverines first appearance) or how influenced by actual interpretations of Wendigo at the time it might have been. Great work here, always enjoy your videos

[@Kodiakhunter]

So I'm sitting in bed at night, come across this video, and I watched it over and over again...until dawn

[@davidurrutia7495]

Really cool! Would love to see some more creatures and spirits from the celtic mythology!

[@MattMBZ]

I met with a Cayugan Elder/Healer and was told I have the spirit of the Wendigo. I am not possessed by one, but its energy flows within me. I was told not to be frightened by this as the Creater has chosen very few of us to hold such dark energy, but with the desire to do good with it. I prefer to be alone, prefer darkness and am wildly misunderstood. She told me that the Wendigo is known to be destructive and devours life, however with this destruction comes rebirth, transformation and new beginnings.

[@Zero_thehero]

Why is it that you can be alone in your house or on a deserted street and feel like you are alone but when you are in a forest you can feel eyes on you or sense the presence of something else?

[@Punchi7]

Because there are many animals in a forest my dude

[@scarletibis3158]

fantastic explanation. thank you very much. I came here after I watched 'the Terror". i had learned of the Wendigo in the 70s when I was in anthropology class at University of Virginia. I was a very young person intrigued. unfortunately due to time, it was mentioned and we passed on to the next lesson. Thank you for so much detail. i really appreciate it.

[@themarauder9244]

When I think of a Windego I always think of the one from Lost Tapes and how it’s interpretation is pretty terrifying.

[@spudferdpowers7080]

Thanks for making this, it was really cool.

[@InquisitorThomas]

If I had to take a guess the modern Wendigo has a stag head to make it look more distinct, I imagine that if the Wendigo had a less iconic appearance then it'd be less known than it is, probably only really mentioned outside of how similar it is the traditional Vampire or ghoul.

[@dullahan8936]

It's believed that the idea of a wendigo looking like a stag actually came from the horror movie "the wendigo" in 1973, in which the creator of that film admitted to not doing any research on the wendigo until after the movie.

[@emiliohernandez7214]

Until Dawn brought me to the whole Wendigo thing Really interesting stuff!

[@jordanfleming7022]

5:03 The signs of Wendigo possession sound a lot like the symptoms of hypothermia: Being unable to recall things Undressing despite the cold Confusion / Nightmares Burning sensations Lack of coherence Wendigo Fever matches up with the burning feeling caused when nerves are damaged by the extreme cold. This burning feeling is typically what causes people suffering from hypothermia to undress in the first place. How fitting that dying in the freezing cold would lead to possession...

[@connorthompson8376]

The ‘My Little Pony’ series used the ideas of wendigos and other mythology VERY loosely. I’d love to see a video that discussed what they used, and how it compares to actual mythology.

[@diegos7337]

So interesting, I never had clear wat the wndigo excatly was. THanks I´ll be looking forward for your novel and new stories!

[@alyssapinon9670]

Dang I’m sad that I only just found this now. I feel like after hearing this in depth explanation of the psychology behind the wendigo, the wendigo could also be a metaphor for colonizers who became overcome by their hunger for power and resources then committed countless atrocities to native people as a result. And the more they expanded, the more power they needed to keep running their evil empire, a vicious cycle like the video said. Now that’s horrifying.

[@pallmall5014]

I agree!!

[@loupblanc7944]

Not really, the Wendigo existed before the colonizers came.

[@alyssapinon9670]

@@loupblanc7944 that is true. Just thought the parallel was interesting

[@MartyWoodcock]

This is the first video I've seen of yours. You earned a sub and I rang your bell. Keep up the good work.

[@CindyHelms]

Thanks to Supernatural, I always think the Classical version is the actual version, and that the way to turn into Windigo would involve giving into Cannibalism (Supernatural had referenced the Donner party as an example), and they would only come out during Winter, sleeping any other time of the year.

[@shamanstarrpeacefully4536]

We have wendigos in Maryland. We use to mistake them for skinwalkers but after doing research and learning more, we learned that what we were dealing with was a wendigo stalking us.

[@brightbite]

Scary Stories 3, anyone? More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark??

[@Tcarichards]

I grew up in Michigan in the 60’s. Part Native. I was told a man’s body, horses head, and a horn. It ate children mainly. It was hard to outrun; like you were running threw water.

[@dardell2001]

Can you do one on the Navajo skinwalkers? Love your videos

[@Metalloid702]

I found this channel are watching like 5 other channels with wendigo stories. I have no regrets

[@beediaper3076]

Who else is here because of the Pet Semetary remake or the classic 1989 version?

[@nunyabiznis9186]

The book, maybe. Neither film versions really bothered to include it.

[@musicman757tvify]

The stag is a representation of natural strength. Its meat is very nutritious, and we see people hunt deer to this day to mount their heads and eat their meat. The skull of the stag, however, is exactly the opposite. This animal died, and is no longer strong, but a haunting husk. This being alive, as the head of a monster, is terrifying.

[@msmikky926]

Could you do Caribbean folklore please

[@heidibevan1916]

Marvellous idea 😄

[@JohannesVanDerStuyvebode]

Ever heard of Liba of Bakru?

[@brandyrose9997]

Well done. 👏 Looking forward to your short stories.

[@petarvurdelja7314]

I would be rather surrounded with 100 zombies then just see this in forrest

[@sciencewizard2861]

well a wendigo is like a zombie but is too OP

[@MalakMacabre]

I've always loved the story of the Wendigo. I first heard of it in Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, although it was something different.

[@isaacmchale8832]

The film ' Ravenous ' depicts the so-called Wendigo fever in a post-Civil War frontier. Pretty gruesome as I recall

[@brandenlee26]

Yay, I just found this page and was thinking you would make a great narrator for scary stories. Nice work!

[@ravensbanebow1293]

To extend upon my former comment, because I'm so fascinated by Wendigos, I would say that the Wendigo is perhaps one of the most credible mythological creatures to have ever existed! -- The Wendigo is the embodiment of the beast inside, our animalistic nature and will to survive, that comes out when we are near starvation. This is a situation that would be common in winter, which is why the Wendigo is so deeply connected to the cold in folklore. It's also entirely reasonable to see why Native Americans would see this natural occurrence as a possession or transformation because when someone is under these extreme conditions (cold and severe hunger) they're not really the same person anymore. It is quite literally a gaunt, pale and unkempt figure, a ghost of their former self, that would attack other unfortunate souls that were caught in the same situation or happened to pass by. While the ferocity of this individual would be expected, even the association with abnormal strength, a shell of a person though they are, could be due to the real-life phenomenon of Hysterical Strength which can be triggered in life or death situations. Their bodies could even be numb to pain from the cold or adrenalin. Even when their hunger is finally sated are no guarantees that this person will anywhere close to sane. There are numerous factors that might impede the mental stability. Whether it be going mad from the cold, the wet, the hunger, the lack of energy, the possible lack of sleep due to worrying they won't wake up, the fear of their fellow survivors or wild animals killing them if they let their guard down, the act of murdering a loved one or stranger, or the act of eating said loved one or stranger. Again I suggest a look into the story of Alexander Pearce if you want an example of someone having to resort to cannibalism in are to survive and what it would cause him to become. What's more is that it's an example outside of the Americas.

[@aaronengland8289]

I can see your point and it makes a lot of sense. I will say this, though... don't just assume all of these stories are misidentification of mental health issues caused by the elements and deprivation. I had my first run-in with the impossible when I was about 10. At this point, whether I believe or not, if an elder tells me there's a monster in the woods I just take their word for it. It's safer lol.

[@ravensbanebow1293]

@@aaronengland8289 I am fascinated by mythology and folklore. I'm sorry if it seemed like I was outright denying any beliefs. I just love looking at things from all perspectives, including scientific. The reason why I suggest the mental health issues (along with addiction in my previous comment) is because, until the 1900s, people around the world just didn't know much of anything accurate on the subject. Also, the idea of spirits as the cause or the embodiment of mental issues can be seen in other cultures. In Japan, depression was seen as an evil spirit plaguing someone's body. When I first heard the legend of the Wendigo years ago it struck me because at that point I had already studied and written an assignment on Alexander Pearce and his fellow convicts in Tasmania (Australia) that escaped with him as well as having read the novel of Kaitangata Twitch (inspired by cannibalism in New Zealand). This was because of all the similarities I saw between cultures half a world away. One mostly spiritual example, one historical example (just meaning very well documented with no spirituality at the root of it) and another that was both. One discouraging cannibalism at all costs, one saying it wasn't really a choice but a primal need and another saying it's just a part of that particular culture. By all means, I'm not saying there isn't a monster in the woods, I was just wondering whether a man could be that monster. Either way that means that the impossible is possible, no? It most certainly is safer, I agree. I'd personally love to hear about your run-in, wouldn't want to push you though. P.S - Sorry for the essay length of my comments

[@aaronengland8289]

Lucas Stokes nah, it's fine. No offense taken. Just offering that little warning lol. A lot of people are very closed minded about subjects like this. As far as my beliefs go, from personal experience, I do believe in some things that most people are fairly skeptical of. Some of those things are: Witchcraft, curses, spirits, shapeshifting, omens, etc. And before you ask, yes, I have been called insane before lol. You asked about the story. I have personal experiences with all of those so if any of those subjects peak your interest feel free to pick a topic. I don't mind sharing.

[@MrDoscher321]

HEY! This is not a human CREATURE OR A HYBRID ...it is a creature of ghoulish demonic origin. Things that are living don't need to suck the blood and Life Energy out of organs. Every single ancient culture has a form of this creature it's f****** what we all see as the vampire... Mexico chupacabra... Philippines Aswang manananggal.. Transylvania vellas... North South America wendigo skin-walker shapeshifters...

[@MrDoscher321]

@@aaronengland8289 hey can you message me on what time of night and what location you saw an aswang/skinwalker? Please, Thank you.

[@cruxivar6026]

Wendigo in popular media. Yes. there's the one in Hannibal and the Japanese anime: Ancient Magus' Bride.

[@sammymelon5716]

Its not just a legend. My teachers dad seen a wendigo grave

[@lordkarasu2263]

I first heard about it from a book read to my and my classmates back in fourth grade, it’s a short horror story book(idr the name)about it grabbing a camper, crashing him to the ground, burning him to ashes...yeah, great thing to hear about at 8/9, lovely.

[@claysoggyfries]

Imaging hiking on a trail and you see a Wendigo

[@hugoleonardoamaral586]

Hope you're feeling alright. Great video by the way. The Wendigo also appears in Stephen King's Pet Sematary, near the end. That gave me shivers down my spine the first time I read it.

[@Mare_Man]

So the traditional Wendigo looks like Nosferatu? Intriguing

[@PastelScorpion]

I love how many types of wendigos the internet has created

[@urbanwarchief]

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing humanity he didnt exist ;)

[@sbmichele4440]

Really interesting!!

[@purplepride0987]

You guys always do a really good job I'm so glad I subscribed

[@tatisnotagee]

After i had my daughter i moved in with my grandma who lives on what used to be native land but we never really knew. Anywho that land is HAUNTED . point is i started hearing little noises in the closet... Thought it was a rat. But the little noises started to sound mmm idk how to explain but it sounded so fckn weird! And louder. I called a spiritual worker and she verified it was a wendigo. She explained how it looked, sitting in the corner of my closet all creepy with long nails and arches back super skinny crouched there. But...we cant see it. I for one thought of it as being harmless. But once i seen the pictures and the stories behind it... I couldn't sleep. Even tho it was gone i was terrified to be in that room alone.

[@bloodmooncomix457]

Bravo! Bravo! More than enough info to sketch out a character villain! Your videos are becoming my fantasy reference channel! :)

[@mutzgaming8071]

How are you i was wondering why zeus is the head of the greek pantheon and has anyone rebelled against him keep up the good work

[@CMTechnica]

Watch his video on it

[@roxxyblade3104]

Mutz Gaming he already did a video about it

[@questioningeverything4200]

Mutz Gaming yeah ones along time ago I decided to Rebel against Zeus one time it was pretty ruff he deleted my world of Warcraft account

[@darkfireproject2102]

This kind of makes me think of a story I heard about a group a seasoned hiker/ skiers in Russia. Something happened at night at their campground, they basically went insane, ripped their way out of their own tent and ran out aimlessly into night. They all died, most if not all had some sort of bodily damage, some even had their eyes and tongues missing. I forget the name the incident was given, but even through all the explanations as to what could have caused it, ironically this is the most logical explanation. Scary shit.

[@Hhhhhhhhhhy]

The Dyatlov Pass Incident

[@kyle12367]

wendigos sound like misinterpreted vampires who havent fed, the burning fever,hunger, powers, appearance all reminiscent of the above.

[@Digitalhdwmn]

No they don't 😂😂😂😂

[@DeviantHips]

Love your videos! Great job, I hope you keep it up :)