Wechuge And Windigo Summary

Robert Brightman’s paper on the windigo psychosis “The Windigo In the Material World” analyzes the modern-day applications and the origins of the “windigo psychosis” (page 346). Brightman seeks to discover if the windigo complex has its roots in Algonkian culture, and if it is a diagnosable psychosis. The windigo complex is believed to have begun in the Algonkian tribes of the boreal forests, who believed that a man who ate human flesh would transform into a beast. This beast, called a windigo, would, in turn, hunt the rest of his tribe. Modern psychologists claim that this cannibalistic tendency is a culturally distinctive brain disorder brought on by famine and extreme starvation. Brightman collects information from multiple sources and psychological

He first explores the question of how differences in both cultures can affect the outcomes and inspirations of the windigo. The next question he asks is why these cultural differences would have such an effect on the presentation of the windigo in both cultures’ history. This is done by comparing the two cultures and their values. These give a hint as to why two seemingly similar cultures would have different interpretations of similar stories. Finally, Ridington questions the idea of “windigo psychosis” (page 25) and its place in these Algonkian and Athapaskan cultures. In the Athapaskan culture, the windigo is a creature called a wechuge, which is part man and part animal. The wechuge lures people away from their camp, playing on their desire for food. There are many stories regarding this creature that were often told to frighten people, much like how modern people watch horror movies. Rindington describes these stories as told by aku and jumbie, two tribe members. The wechuge is a man plagued by his power, in which he believes that he is too strong for the mortal world. In the Algonkian culture, however, becoming a windigo is a sign of weakness, succumbing to the elements and witchcraft. Ridington answers these questions through ethnographic study of both the Algonkian and Athapaskan cultures. he collected information from his own experiences and the experiences of other anthropologists, as well as oral stories from tribe members. While the Algonkian and Athapaskan cultures are similar at the surface, they hold very different morals. The wechuge is feared because it is a role, rather than a person. The medicinal strengths one must have to hold this role is what the Athapaskans fear. The