Windigo

Many indigenous cultures of the United States tell stories about terrifying beings capable of causing harm and death, which are often defeated by cultural heroes. Windigos are giant ice monsters that are mentioned by the ojibwas and northern cris.

Even in the boreal forests rich in hunting animals, a person can become a windigo if he is forced to eat human meat to avoid starving. The death of a windig was seen as a truly heroic act, and often the spirits came to the hero's aid. The monster had long sharp eyes, sharp teeth, and his cry was louder than the tallest trees.

The windigo harassed the hunters while chasing the alps and other lonely animals. The Indians believed that the windig's insatiable greed for human flesh had killed the hunters who did not return to the camp. The evil being could threaten from the forest disguised as indigenous and all strangers arriving in the village were observed with great care and suspicion.

Windigos' stories are very popular and are told as a form of entertainment, similar to ghost stories among non-indigenous peoples. They are sometimes used to re-impose discipline on rebellious children. In the past, Indian children played a hiding game in which a windigo was believed to cover his head with leaves and hide.