Adlivun
Encyclopedia
In Inuit mythology
, Adlivun (those beneath us; also known as Idliragijenget) refers to both the spirits of the departed who reside in the underworld
, and that underworld itself, located beneath the land and the sea. The souls are purified there, in preparation for the travel to the Land of the Moon (Quidlivun), where they find eternal rest and peace. Sedna, Tornarsuk and the tornat
(spirits of animals and natural formations) and tupilak (souls of dead people) live in Adlivun, which is usually described as a frozen wasteland. Sedna is the ruler of the land, and is said to imprison the souls of the living as part of the preparation for the next stage of their journey.
When an Inuk dies, they are wrapped in caribou skin and buried. Elderly corpses have their feet pointing towards west or southwest, while children's feet point east or southeast and young adults towards the south. Three days of mourning follow, with relatives staying in the deceased's hut with nostrils closed by a piece of caribou skin. After three days, the mourners ritualistically circle the grave three times, promising venison
to the spirit, which is then brought when the grave is visited.
The psychopomp
s Pinga
and Anguta
bring the souls of the dead to Adlivun, where they must stay for one year before moving on.
Inuit mythology
Inuit mythology has many similarities to the religions of other polar regions. Inuit traditional religious practices could be very briefly summarised as a form of shamanism based on animist principles....
, Adlivun (those beneath us; also known as Idliragijenget) refers to both the spirits of the departed who reside in the underworld
Underworld
The Underworld is a region which is thought to be under the surface of the earth in some religions and in mythologies. It could be a place where the souls of the recently departed go, and in some traditions it is identified with Hell or the realm of death...
, and that underworld itself, located beneath the land and the sea. The souls are purified there, in preparation for the travel to the Land of the Moon (Quidlivun), where they find eternal rest and peace. Sedna, Tornarsuk and the tornat
Tornat
In Inuit mythology, the Tornat are a group of protective gods, led by Tornarsuk....
(spirits of animals and natural formations) and tupilak (souls of dead people) live in Adlivun, which is usually described as a frozen wasteland. Sedna is the ruler of the land, and is said to imprison the souls of the living as part of the preparation for the next stage of their journey.
When an Inuk dies, they are wrapped in caribou skin and buried. Elderly corpses have their feet pointing towards west or southwest, while children's feet point east or southeast and young adults towards the south. Three days of mourning follow, with relatives staying in the deceased's hut with nostrils closed by a piece of caribou skin. After three days, the mourners ritualistically circle the grave three times, promising venison
Venison
Venison is the meat of a game animal, especially a deer but also other animals such as antelope, wild boar, etc.-Etymology:The word derives from the Latin vēnor...
to the spirit, which is then brought when the grave is visited.
The psychopomp
Psychopomp
Psychopomps are creatures, spirits, angels, or deities in many religions whose responsibility is to escort newly deceased souls to the afterlife. Their role is not to judge the deceased, but simply provide safe passage...
s Pinga
Pinga
In Inuit mythology, Pinga was a goddess of the hunt, fertility and medicine. She was also the psychopomp, bringing souls of the newly-dead to Adlivun, the underworld....
and Anguta
Anguta
Anguta is the father of the sea goddess Sedna in Inuit mythology. In certain myths,beetween the Greenland Inuit Anguta, also called "His Father" or Anigut is considered the creator-god and is the supreme being among of the Inuit people. In other myths, however, Anguta is merely a mortal widower...
bring the souls of the dead to Adlivun, where they must stay for one year before moving on.