Tradition / Region: Inuit Mythology
Alternate Names: Walrus Dog
Category: Dog
The Myth
Along the harsh coasts of Alaska, hunters told of a strange and dangerous creature known as the Az’-i-wû-gûm Ki-mukh’-ti, the Walrus Dog.
It was said to resemble a large dog in shape, though more slender and elongated than any ordinary animal. Its tail was long and thick with muscle, strong enough to strike with deadly force. Instead of fur, its body was covered in tough black scales, making it nearly impossible to kill except with the finest weapons.
The creature was believed to live among herds of walrus. Though not one of them, it moved with them and seemed to act as their guardian. Because of this, walrus hunters feared encountering it while at sea.
Stories told that the Walrus Dog was one of the creations of Raven, the great being who shaped many animals and spirits of the world. Like many of Raven’s works, it was both part of nature and something beyond it.
Hunters warned that if the creature was disturbed, it could become deadly. Its tail alone could kill a man, and one tale spoke of a time when it attacked an umiak on the water and slew everyone aboard.
Thus the Az’-i-wû-gûm Ki-mukh’-ti was remembered as a powerful spirit-beast of the northern coasts — a scaled dog that guarded the walrus herds and brought danger to those who crossed its path.
Gallery
Sources
A Book of Creatures. (2015). Az’-i-wû-gûm Ki-mukh’-ti. In abookofcreatures.com, from https://abookofcreatures.com/2015/09/25/az-i-wu-gumki-mukh-ti/
Interpretive Lenses
Religious Readings
- Christian Ascetic Deep Dive
Philosophical Readings
- Nietzschean Deep Dive
Psychological Readings
- Jungian Deep Dive
Esoteric Deep Dive
- Hermetic Deep Dive
Political / Social Readings
- Marxist Deep Dive