The Windigo Myth
Of all the myths to be encountered so far, this one is by far the easiest to find. The Wendigo is of Canadian origins from the legends told by the Algonquian people, who lived along the Atlantic coast, minorly spreading down to current USA areas.
The Wendigo is an evil beastly creature often tied to cannibalism. According to legends, the creature was sometimes depicted as a half-beast humanoid with many gruesome features that are similar to the historical and modern Slenderman. As the legend goes, a Wendigo could possess a human OR a human could become a Wendigo through undergoing cannibalism (even in extreme cases). Wendigos then eternally hunt for human flesh, unable to ever satisfy their hunger.
Now, how is this related to the Slenderman and other historical references? Well, early descriptions of this creature, as well as its habitat, surprisingly match up well to the modern and historical Slenderman. General descriptions are that it is tall, reaching 15 ft. high, its is lanky and boney, assuming a skeleton like figure, long stretching limbs as described by a few sources, pale or ash-like skin, and terrible shredding claws. While is is reported to have a face, no tentacles, and not wearing any clothing, it is described as tall. The most common recurring factor. Not to mention the pale complexion and thin appearance, which is also often seen.
Starting among the similarities we have height. Specifically cited to reach over 15 ft. tall the Wendigo could relate to myth from Germany, Romania, American, and modern myth.
Secondly there is the skinny appearance. In many, MANY descriptions this fact stays true. One specifically is this one:
"The Weendigo was gaunt to the point of emaciation, its desiccated skin pulled tautly over its bones. With its bones pushing out against its skin, its complexion the ash gray of death, and its eyes pushed back deep into their sockets, the Weendigo looked like a gaunt skeleton recently disinterred from the grave. What lips it had were tattered and bloody [....] Unclean and suffering from suppurations of the flesh, the Weendigo gave off a strange and eerie odor of decay and decomposition, of death and corruption."
―Basil Johnston, an Ojibwe teacher and scholar
And yes, Basil Johnston IS a real person. Unlike last time a person was referenced (Hans Freckenburg a.k.a Hans Holbein from Germany) Basil Johnston is a real person, writer, teacher, and scholar, born on July 13, 1929. Now ‘gaunt’ of course means thin and lanky. Repeatedly it describes the skeleton, bony, gruesome like, thin description of the wendigo. This thin appearance can be seen in myth from Germany, Scotland, and modern slenderman myth.
Also there is the matter of ashy gray and pale skin. Now this specific detail is seen in early versions of the legend as recorded. Some rather say the creature is matted with fur but in this case its important to stick to the origins. This pale complexion can be seen in myth from Germany and modern myth.
It does however have a face as a difference, but it is certainly deformed. Descriptions vary from sunken eyes, tattered lips and features, an elongated tongue, and yellowed teeth ranging to fangs! A VERY beastly face for a creature indeed! Though is should be known, that there was no mention of face features in Romanian myth and American myth. Thus possibly leaving room for correlation. However it is different from German, Scottish, and modern myth.
As another correlation, the habitat of wendigos are based in forest areas where they have ‘territory’. Where else do we see a forest like environment? We can see it in German, Romanian, Scottish, American, and modern myth. Possibly the LARGEST category for correlation thus far.
Also as a difference, wendigos can possess humans and humans can become wendigos. This is a quality that does not correlate with any other myth... Or does it? Possession is a power where you control a targeted victim. We see this controlling force in German and Romanian myth. Otherwise however, this is the only myth where a human can become a creature of these characteristics. All other stories involved seemingly singular entities.
The final difference is the fate of the wendigos victims. While the fate of victims remains vaguely unknown in German, Scottish, and modern myth, in this myth the wendigo devours its victims. So like American and Romanian myth, the fate of victims is revealed.
The Wendigo is an evil beastly creature often tied to cannibalism. According to legends, the creature was sometimes depicted as a half-beast humanoid with many gruesome features that are similar to the historical and modern Slenderman. As the legend goes, a Wendigo could possess a human OR a human could become a Wendigo through undergoing cannibalism (even in extreme cases). Wendigos then eternally hunt for human flesh, unable to ever satisfy their hunger.
Now, how is this related to the Slenderman and other historical references? Well, early descriptions of this creature, as well as its habitat, surprisingly match up well to the modern and historical Slenderman. General descriptions are that it is tall, reaching 15 ft. high, its is lanky and boney, assuming a skeleton like figure, long stretching limbs as described by a few sources, pale or ash-like skin, and terrible shredding claws. While is is reported to have a face, no tentacles, and not wearing any clothing, it is described as tall. The most common recurring factor. Not to mention the pale complexion and thin appearance, which is also often seen.
Starting among the similarities we have height. Specifically cited to reach over 15 ft. tall the Wendigo could relate to myth from Germany, Romania, American, and modern myth.
Secondly there is the skinny appearance. In many, MANY descriptions this fact stays true. One specifically is this one:
"The Weendigo was gaunt to the point of emaciation, its desiccated skin pulled tautly over its bones. With its bones pushing out against its skin, its complexion the ash gray of death, and its eyes pushed back deep into their sockets, the Weendigo looked like a gaunt skeleton recently disinterred from the grave. What lips it had were tattered and bloody [....] Unclean and suffering from suppurations of the flesh, the Weendigo gave off a strange and eerie odor of decay and decomposition, of death and corruption."
―Basil Johnston, an Ojibwe teacher and scholar
And yes, Basil Johnston IS a real person. Unlike last time a person was referenced (Hans Freckenburg a.k.a Hans Holbein from Germany) Basil Johnston is a real person, writer, teacher, and scholar, born on July 13, 1929. Now ‘gaunt’ of course means thin and lanky. Repeatedly it describes the skeleton, bony, gruesome like, thin description of the wendigo. This thin appearance can be seen in myth from Germany, Scotland, and modern slenderman myth.
Also there is the matter of ashy gray and pale skin. Now this specific detail is seen in early versions of the legend as recorded. Some rather say the creature is matted with fur but in this case its important to stick to the origins. This pale complexion can be seen in myth from Germany and modern myth.
It does however have a face as a difference, but it is certainly deformed. Descriptions vary from sunken eyes, tattered lips and features, an elongated tongue, and yellowed teeth ranging to fangs! A VERY beastly face for a creature indeed! Though is should be known, that there was no mention of face features in Romanian myth and American myth. Thus possibly leaving room for correlation. However it is different from German, Scottish, and modern myth.
As another correlation, the habitat of wendigos are based in forest areas where they have ‘territory’. Where else do we see a forest like environment? We can see it in German, Romanian, Scottish, American, and modern myth. Possibly the LARGEST category for correlation thus far.
Also as a difference, wendigos can possess humans and humans can become wendigos. This is a quality that does not correlate with any other myth... Or does it? Possession is a power where you control a targeted victim. We see this controlling force in German and Romanian myth. Otherwise however, this is the only myth where a human can become a creature of these characteristics. All other stories involved seemingly singular entities.
The final difference is the fate of the wendigos victims. While the fate of victims remains vaguely unknown in German, Scottish, and modern myth, in this myth the wendigo devours its victims. So like American and Romanian myth, the fate of victims is revealed.