The Wendigo.

Summary: The Wendigo is a malevolent spirit from Algonquian folklore, often associated with the northern forests of the United States and Canada. Known for its insatiable hunger for human flesh, this creature represents greed, gluttony, and cannibalism. It is often depicted as skeletal with glowing eyes and sharp claws, symbolizing starvation and human desperation. According to some traditions, a person may transform into a Wendigo after engaging in cannibalism. The Wendigo is believed to grow larger with each victim, its hunger forever unfulfilled.

The Spirit of Hunger and Greed — A Nightmare Born of Winter’s Fury.

The Wendigo is a fearsome and malevolent spirit from Mohawk and Algonquian folklore, most famously associated with the northern forests of the United States and Canada.

Known for its insatiable hunger for human flesh, the Wendigo represents the dangers of greed, gluttony, and cannibalism [1]Brightman, Robert A. (1988). “The Windigo in the Material World” (PDF). Ethnohistory. 35 (4): 337–379. doi:10.2307/482140 . It is often depicted as a gaunt, skeletal creature with desiccated skin, glowing eyes, and sharp claws, embodying the terror of starvation and the dark depths of human desperation. In some traditions, it is said that a person who engages in cannibalism—either by choice or out of necessity—may be transformed into a Wendigo. The Wendigo grows larger with each victim, its hunger forever unfulfilled [2]Horn, Kahntineta (March 14, 2013). “Boogie Men”.  mohawknationnews.com. Kahnawake: Mohawk Nation News .

Wendigo Origin and History

The legend of the Wendigo originates from the Algonquian-speaking peoples, including the CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More, OjibweThe Ojibwe, or Chippewa, are a major North America More [3]Warren, William W. (1984). History of the Ojibway People (2 ed.). St. Paul, Minnesota: Borealis Books. ISBN 978-0873516433 , SaulteauxSaulteaux, or Plains Ojibway (Nahkawininiwak), spe More, and Naskapi tribes. The Wendigo was believed to roam the forests of the Great LakesThe Great Lakes Region spans the U.S. and Canada, More region, the Atlantic Coast, and the northern United States, as well as the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory preying on anyone foolish enough to venture too far into its territory during the harsh winters.

The Wendigo’s origins are tied closely to harsh survival conditions and famine, particularly during the long, unforgiving winters in the northern regions of North America. In these extreme conditions, starvation often pushed communities to the brink, creating fertile ground for tales of supernaturalSupernatural narratives evoke forces beyond nature More punishment. With food supplies dwindling and survival uncertain, the Wendigo emerged as a symbol of what could happen when desperation led people to commit the ultimate taboo—cannibalism.

These stories served both as warnings against greed and moral lessons about the fragility of human decency when faced with desperation. In OjibweThe Ojibwe, or Chippewa, are a major North America More [4]Johnston, Basil H. Ojibway Heritage. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1976. , Eastern CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More [5]Brightman, Robert A. Grateful Prey: Rock CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More Human-Animal Relationships. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1993. , Westmain Swampy CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More, Naskapi, and Innu lore, Wendigos are often described as giants that are many times larger than human beings, a characteristic absent from myths in other Algonquian cultures.

Whenever a Wendigo consumed another person, it would grow in proportion to the meal it had just eaten, ensuring it could never be full. Thus, despite its gluttony, the Wendigo remains painfully thin, symbolizing the torment of insatiable hunger. In some versions, the Wendigo was once human, transformed by dark magic, curses, or unnatural hunger, doomed to roam the wilderness in search of human flesh.

According to legend, the transformation begins with a dream or vision in which a spirit visits the individual, tempting them to consume human flesh. If the individual succumbs, their body begins to change—skin turning ashen, eyes sinking into their skull, and their heart growing cold and corrupted. The only way to halt this process, some say, is through a purification ritual led by a shaman, though success is never guaranteed.

One well-known tale tells of a hunter who, after being lost in the woods and driven mad by starvation, resorted to eating his hunting partner. The act corrupted his soul, turning him into a Wendigo—a monstrous being forever cursed to wander the wilderness with an insatiable craving for human flesh.

Wendigo Psychosis Notable Cases:

The Wendigo legend predates European colonization, serving as a cautionary tale about the importance of community and resource sharing. During harsh winters, when survival depended on mutual support, the Wendigo embodied selfishness, greed, and the consequences of isolation.

In the early 20th century, psychologists and missionaries coined the term “Wendigo psychosis”, describing a culture-bound syndrome among Native and First Nations people. Symptoms included delusions of being possessed by an evil spirit, depression, violent behavior, and a compulsion to consume human flesh. Although the existence of this condition is disputed by modern scientists, it remains a notable example of how the Wendigo legend has influenced both folklore and psychology.

1. Jesuit Missionary

The earliest known written mention of the Wendigo appears in 1636 in a report by Paul Le Jeune, a French Jesuit missionary. Le Jeune described an “atchen” that devoured nearby tribes and was believed to continue feasting until called away [6]Thwaites, Reuben Gold, ed. (1899). “The Jesuit Relations: Travels and Expectations of the Jesuit Missionaries in New France, 1610—1791”. Vol. XLVI. Translated by Tomasz Mentrak. Cleveland, Ohio: The Burrows Brothers Company. .

2. Swift Runner

A well-known instance of wendigo psychosis involved a Plains CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More trapper from Alberta named Swift Runner [7]Brightman (1988:352–3) . In the winter of 1878, Swift Runner and his family faced severe hunger, resulting in the death of his eldest son. Despite being only twenty-five miles from emergency food supplies at a Hudson’s Bay Company post, Swift Runner ended up killing and consuming his wife and five remaining children.

The fact that he resorted to cannibalism so close to available food supplies, and that he consumed all present, indicated that Swift Runner’s actions were not simply driven by starvation but rather by wendigo psychosis. He confessed to his actions and was ultimately executed by authorities at Fort Saskatchewan.

3. Fiddler Brothers

A notable case of wendigo psychosis involved Jack Fiddler [8]Fiddler, Thomas; Stevens, James R. (1985). Killing the Shamen. Manotick, Ontario: Penumbra Press. ISBN 978-0920806814 , an Oji-Cree chief and medicine man famed for his ability to defeat wendigos. This sometimes required him to kill individuals afflicted with wendigo psychosis. Consequently, in 1907, Fiddler and his brother Joseph were apprehended by Canadian authorities on charges of homicide.

Jack took his own life, while Joseph was tried and received a life sentence. Although he was eventually pardoned, Joseph passed away in jail three days before learning of the pardon.

4. Northern Ontario Possession

In 1920, a documented case involved a woman from Northern Ontario who allegedly became possessed by the Wendigo spirit after the death of her family during a prolonged winter storm. Villagers described her transformation, claiming she spoke in voices not her own and developed an uncontrollable craving for raw flesh. The local council intervened, performing a ritual to exorcise the spirit.

5. Hudson Bay Company

The records of the Hudson’s Bay Company detail encounters with individuals who believed they were possessed by the Wendigo spirit, including isolated trappers driven to madness and violent acts [9]Hudson’s Bay Company . These accounts, along with oral histories from CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More and OjibweThe Ojibwe, or Chippewa, are a major North America More communities, serve as powerful evidence of how deeply ingrained the Wendigo was in the collective psyche.

Wendigo Physical Description

The physical depiction of the Wendigo varies depending on the source, but common characteristics include:

A shaman might be the only person capable of defeating a wendigo, utilizing a bullet or dagger made of silver, steel, or iron. However, some accounts suggest that to completely eliminate a wendigo’s spirit, its heart must be extracted and either melted or burned in a fire.

Wendigo Supernatural Abilities

The Wendigo is believed to possess supernaturalSupernatural narratives evoke forces beyond nature More abilities to hunt its prey. It can move silently and swiftly across deep snow and frozen lakes, making it nearly impossible to escape.

The Wendigo is sometimes described as a malevolent spirit rather than a physical monster.

In CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More mythology, it is believed to possess humans, entering through bites or dreams. Once possessed, the victim is driven to insanity and cannibalism. The afflicted person may remain fully cognizant, retaining the power of speech and even threatening or taunting others.

Certain people are believed to be more susceptible to becoming Wendigos, especially those who are greedy, selfish, or on the brink of starvation. The phrase “going Wendigo” has been used colloquially to describe this state.

Cultural Significance

The wendigo is an integral part of the traditional beliefs of several Algonquin-speaking groups, such as the OjibweThe Ojibwe, or Chippewa, are a major North America More, SaulteauxSaulteaux, or Plains Ojibway (Nahkawininiwak), spe More, CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More, Naskapi, and Innu. While descriptions may differ slightly, these cultures commonly perceive the wendigo as a malevolent, cannibalistic supernaturalSupernatural narratives evoke forces beyond nature More entity. It is closely linked to the north, winter, cold, famine, and starvation. Basil H. Johnston, an OjibweThe Ojibwe, or Chippewa, are a major North America More educator and scholar from Ontario, depicts a wendigo as:

gaunt and emaciated, with its skin stretched over its bones. Its bones protrude against its skin with an ash-gray deathly hue, and its eyes are sunken deep into their sockets, resembling a skeletal figure freshly unearthed from a grave. Its lips are ragged and bloody, and it emits a strange odor of decay and decomposition.

Basil H. Johnston,

In the lore of the OjibweThe Ojibwe, or Chippewa, are a major North America More, Eastern CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More, Westmain Swampy CreeThe Cree, or nêhiyawak, span Saskatchewan, speaki More, Naskapi, and Innu, wendigos are often described as giants far larger than humans—a trait not found in other Algonquian myths. When a wendigo consumes another person, it grows in proportion to its meal, ensuring it is never satisfied.

They are seen as symbols of greed and excess: never content after consuming one victim, they constantly seek new prey. 

In a folk tale collected in the early 20th century by Lottie Chicogquaw Marsden, an ethnographer of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, a wendigo demonstrates tool use, survives partial dismemberment, and engages in self-cannibalism.

The story goes:

“Once, a large Wendigo abducted an Indian boy but found him too thin to eat immediately. The Wendigo traveled with the boy, waiting for him to fatten up. It would cut the boy’s hand with a knife to check if he was fat enough to eat, but the boy remained thin due to their extensive travels. Eventually, they reached an Indian village where the Wendigo sent the boy to fetch food with strict time constraints. The boy warned the villagers about the Wendigo and showed them his cut hand as proof.

Meanwhile, the Wendigo called out to the boy, urging him not to deceive the Indians. The villagers confronted the Wendigo and severed its legs. Checking later if it was dead, they found it eating its own marrow from its severed legs. When asked if it was fat from consuming many people, the Wendigo confirmed this before being killed and dismembered by the villagers, and marking the end of this Giant Wendigo.”

Modern Appearances (Pop Culture, Urban Legends, etc.)

The Wendigo has become a popular figure in modern horror and fantasy, often depicted as a relentless predator. Unlike traditional folklore, which emphasizes the Wendigo’s connection to famine, survival, and moral lessons, modern depictions often emphasize its monstrous appearance and supernaturalSupernatural narratives evoke forces beyond nature More powers. Films and video games frequently highlight its physical terror rather than the deeper cautionary messages about greed and isolation. Its representation has evolved over time, blending traditional lore with modern fears.

• Literature: The Wendigo appears in Algernon Blackwood’s [10] Blackwood, Algernon. The Wendigo. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1910.[/reference] short story The Wendigo (1910), which brought the creature into the literary world.

• Blackwood’s work has significantly shaped many later depictions in mainstream horror fiction, including August Derleth’s “The Thing that Walked on the Wind” and “Ithaqua” (1933 and 1941).

• This later influenced the character in Stephen King’s novel Pet Sematary. In this story, the character embodies evil, depicted as a hideous creature with a sinister grin, yellow-grey eyes, ram’s horns instead of ears, and a decaying yellow tongue that is pointed.

• Movies & TV: Featured in series like Supernatural, Hannibal, and the horror film The Ritual.

• Video Games: The Wendigo plays a central role in Until Dawn, where it is depicted as a monstrous predator with horrifying speed and strength.

• Tabletop & Roleplaying Games: Common in games like Dungeons & Dragons, the Wendigo is often used as a symbol of relentless, otherworldly hunger.

Related Creatures

• Skinwalker: A shape-shifting creature from Navajo'Navajo' refers to a Native American tribe and the More legend, capable of assuming animal forms.
• Bigfoot: Though not malevolent, Bigfoot is another legendary forest-dwelling creature shrouded in mystery.
• Yuki-onna: A Japanese spirit associated with snow and cold, sometimes compared to the Wendigo for its association with winter and death.