Tradition / Region: Inuit mythology
Alternate Names: The Hair Woman
Category: Spirit / hunting spirit
The Myth
Nujaliaq, known as the Hair Woman, is a spirit described in Inuit tradition and depicted in drawings by Anarqåq. She is marked by a striking and unusual appearance: her nose is set on the side of her head, her neck has a broad fold of skin, and she has only one arm. Her hair is long, wild, and sticks out in all directions. She has no full body—only a lower back and behind—and her face is white, while the rest of her exposed skin is black and bare.
Nujaliaq carries a seal-skin line, which she uses to catch caribou, despite being associated with land animals rather than sea hunting. She is known especially for her ability to help in the procurement of land game, and her presence is connected to success in hunting caribou.
Through her strange form and specialized skill, Nujaliaq stands out as a powerful and distinctive hunting spirit within Inuit belief.
Interpretive Lenses
Religious Readings
Philosophical Readings
Psychological Readings
Esoteric Deep Dive
- Hermetic Deep Dive