ウィンディゴ : 神話と人格変容の間

Abstract

This paper attempts to examine the symbolic representation of Windigo, the cannibal monster, feared by the Algonquian people such as the Anishinabe and the Cree in the Northeastern North America. The first section introduces the topic. The second section, mainly based upon recent scholarly work by S. Smallman, reviews a history of the scholarly works on Windigo and presents the perspective to be taken for this paper. In the third section, it examines the historical changes of the Windigo images. As the historical phenomenon, the so-called Windigo Psychosis ceased to be reported by the end of the 19th century. The image of Windigo continues to be referred to by both the native people and the American-Canadian people. While this paper recognizes the contemporary native representation of Windigo as a proof of cultural creativity, it also sees historical changes in the religious perception of the image of Windigo with the recognition of etymological resemblance between the indigenous terms of owl and Windigo. In the fourth section, while admitting the importance of the moral interpretation of Windigo narrative, this paper tries to read the bodily experiential dimension as the location of religious fear of Windigo. Paying a special attention to the shamanistic narrative of Windigo, this paper attempts to read the religious meaning of personal transformation induced by the spiritual possession by Windigo.