Along with learning about Inuit art and sculpture, 5th grade students explored the importance of myths and legends to the Inuit culture and to society as a whole. Like all mythology, Inuit myths and legends are both entertaining and instructive. Ancient Inuit oral traditions were used as the most important method of conveying and preserving ideas, augmented sometimes by small sculptures that may have served as illustrations for events. Inuit myths and legends are usually short dramatic stories with morals dealing with the wonders of the world: creation, life/death, love, hunting and sharing food, respect for the elders, etc. Inuit storytellers continue to remodel old myths and create new legends. In class, we read some traditional Inuit tales which inspired some students to write their own! Can't wait to see what these sculptures look like when they're glazed and finished!
Visit these sites to read some Inuit legends or for more information on Inuit mythology:
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/inuit-myth-and-legend/
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Legends-DH.html
BBC Human Planet Documentary on the Inuit People:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/humanplanetexplorer/environments/arctic
Visit these sites to read some Inuit legends or for more information on Inuit mythology:
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/inuit-myth-and-legend/
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Legends-DH.html
BBC Human Planet Documentary on the Inuit People:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/humanplanetexplorer/environments/arctic