A man from Karusuk would daily travel 24 miles to Kangek to hunt auks, accompanied by an ingnersuak—a spirit companion tied to a shaman (angakok) from Tukak. Ingnersuak are said to be invisible companions of kayakers, occasionally seen from a distance. The spirit guarded and guided the man during his hunts, returning with him before resuming its journey home.
Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875
► Themes of the story
Supernatural Beings: The ingnersuak is a spirit entity that interacts with the human world, embodying the theme of supernatural beings influencing mortal affairs.
Guardian Figures: The ingnersuak acts as a protector and guide for the hunter, ensuring his safety during the hunts, fitting the theme of guardian figures who guide or test the protagonist.
Sacred Spaces: The hunter’s journey between Karusuk and Kangek, accompanied by a spiritual being, suggests a connection to sacred or spiritually significant locations, aligning with the theme of sacred spaces.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Inuit peoples
Abridged version of the story.
A man living on Karusuk (in the firth of Goothaab) every day used to repair to Kangek (about 24 miles distant) for the purpose of hunting auks. For his companion he had an ingnersuak, who at the same time was the tornak of an angakok, living farther up the firth at Tukak. It is said that even nowadays many kayakers have an ingnersuak for their companion, and every now and then they become visible. Sometimes a kayaker observing two distinct kayaks at a distance, on coming nearer will only meet with one, who on being questioned is not aware of any other having been with him. In such cases people believe it to have been an ingnersuak, on account of their being invisible, excepting from a great distance.
► Continue reading…
The said ingnersuak in the short winter days came to Karusuk, waited until he saw the man ready to start for Kangek, and then followed, and took care of him the whole day, and returned with him to Karusuk, from whence he went on to his home at Tukak.
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Dreamtime Whispers 