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SPIRIT OF THE WALRUS |
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The walrus is among the most popular and recognizable subjects of Inuit art. In realistic depictions or mythological compositions, the walrus is a recurrent and powerful spirit. Walruses are massive mammals, larger than the polar bear, living on the ice across the eastern Canadian Arctic. The name ‘walrus’ is from the Danish hvalros (sea cow). For centuries, the Inuit have hunted the beast they call aiviq for its hide, blubber and ivory. Adult males and females both have tusks, used to establish dominance within social herds. Males can live 35 years and weigh over 3000 pounds, sporting ivory tusks more than three feet long. The aiviq loves shellfish, especially clams. Hungry walruses can eat thousands of clams in a single feeding, contributing considerably to their blubbery bulk. The walrus was hunted on foot on land or at the ice floe edge, and by kayak in the water. Hunters would imitate walrus grunts, or wait quietly at an ice hole for aiviq to surface. To prevent the walrus diving away into the depths, hunters used an avatuk (sealskin float) attached by a sinew line to the harpoon. The walrus is a dangerous foe because of its sheer size and the awesome power of its strong tusks. A hunter must demonstrate respect for the inua - the soul - of the walrus in order to convince it to give itself up in the hunt. The walrus has been intimately connected with Inuit shamanism. Together with the bear, walruses and birds were the most important spirit helpers of the angakoq. The presence of the spirit of the walrus was often indicated by the sudden appearance of tusks growing from the shaman’s mouth. This powerful symbol conferred upon the shaman the protection of the walrus spirit and might endow him with special attributes required for the hunt or to ward off evil forces.
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