Qallupilluit

The Qallupilluit (Inuktitut: ᖃᓪᓗᐱᓪᓗᐃᑦ, a.k.a. Qalupalik) is an mythical creature from Inuit folklore.[1] Much like the Bogeyman, the Qallupilluit is said to kidnap misbehaving children.[1][2] The legend's practical purpose is to keep children away from thin ice or bodies of water, as this is where the creatures are said to live.[3] If children are found alone at the edge of the ice, the Qallupilluit is said to stuff them into its amautik (similar to a parka), before drowning them in the icy water.[4]

Qallupilluit
Similar entitiesBogeyman
FolkloreMythical creature
Other name(s)Inuktitut: ᖃᓪᓗᐱᓪᓗᐃᑦ[1]
Qalupalik
RegionNunavut

As with most similar legends, there are conflicting reports as to the appearance and gender of the Qallupilluit, though they are always humanoid. Some translations use the pronoun 'he', but others describe the creature as 'she', a feminine creature who uses children to maintain "her long, flowing hair".[1][5] In some tellings the creature has elongated fingernails, and green, slimy skin.[5][6]

The Qallupilluit were the subject of the book A Promise Is A Promise by Robert Munsch and Michael Kusugak.[2] It was later the subject of a children's graphic novel by Inuit artist Roselynn Akulukjuk.[6]

References
  1. Boaz, Franz (1888). "Qallupilluit". InuitMyths.com. Qikiqtani Inuit Association. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  2. Bergman, Brian (April 8, 1996), "Arctic myths and magic", Maclean's, pp. 75–76
  3. Michaeleen Doucleff, Lisa Ipeelie, Martha Tikivik, Goota Jaw, Myna Ishulutak, Rosy, Deena Weisberg (March 4, 2019). "Storytelling Instead Of Scolding: Inuit Say It Makes Their Children More Cool-Headed". All Things Considered. NPR.
  4. Giles, Audrey R; Strachan, Shaelyn M.; Doucette, Michelle; Stadig, Gwenyth S. (2013). "Adaptation to Aquatic Risks due to Climate Change in Pangnirtung, Nunavut". Arctic. Arctic Institute of North America. 66 (2): 207–217.
  5. Hill, Max (October 27, 2014), "Spooky Canada", UWIRE
  6. "Putuguq & Kublu And The Qalupalik". Kirkus Reviews. March 1, 2019.
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