Mermay Day 9: Indigenous Merfolk, And Colonization
There are several indigenous peoples who have merfolk legends. Many tribes of indigenous Americans in Canada, North America, Central America, and the Caribbean had stories of merpeople or water spirits. Notably the Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, Shoshone, Obijwe, inuit and Taino. who have the Lumpeguin, Sabawaelnu, nibiinnabe, Ne Hwas, Water Babies, Qallupilluit, Sedna and Aycayia.
Lumpeguin were sometimes humanoid, other times fish tailed and even able to become weasels. Similar to selkies of European mermaids who had red caps, Lumpeguin had magic garments that if stolen bound them to the human who took them. They were anle to make large quantities of food like Finfolk could. They could make a moursel a feast, snow into bread, or had a pot of infinite food.
Sabawaelnu were said to be able to control the weather, or had songs that could predict it.
Nibiiinabe were said to be freightened by loud noises and were the totem symbol of the Obijwe tribe for a time.
Ne Hwas were sisters who swam to often in the river by their home that they turned into mermaids.
Water babies were known to be aquatic infants that in some variations had fish tails. They were also mostly maleavolent but again some tribes recounted that the spirits could be reasoned with or sought after for advice and help. A spiritual leader or Shaman would go to the spirits on behalf of the tribe.
Qallupilluit were monstrous child snatchers, who had amautik for carrying off children. Used like bogeymen to warn children away from cracks or thin ice where the creature could grab them. They are mentioned as far back as 1888 by Franz Boasin “The Central E*kimo”. Also called Qallupilluk. Descriptions very but it is usually humanoid, sometimes finned, or has slimy green skin.
Sedna who I’ve mentioned as one of the few merdeities was a goddess in Inuit culture. Through some tragedy involving marriage, an axe, and a boat she loses her fingers which become sea mammals and she comes to live in the sea, sometimes with a tail instead of legs. She’s been related to the underworld and thought to be partially responsible for lack of seals. A spiritual leader or shaman would have to call on her and help comb sea life out of her long hair.
Aycayia was the mermaid of the indigenous Caribbean peoples. Said to be and outcast, rejected from society and seductive. The first was cursed by jealous wives and later traditions say that Aycayia are made by other Aycayia. They seek out those cast out from society and take them to live in the waves.
There is also the yawkyawk of Australian Aboriginal origin who i have slso mentioned. Related to the rainbow serpent Ngalyod and had seaweed hair and often could shapeshift into several animals like a dragonfly, crocodile, snake, or swordfish. They like most merfolk could also manipulate the weather.
It is important to note that most sources for these stories come from outsiders and colonizers. It is unclear how much these stories were influenced, altered, or downright changed by outsiders who recorded the stories. It’s difficult to say when these stories came about and how since again the majority of sources come second hand. Nevertheless they are interesting and beautiful stories, and i rarely see indigenous merfolk talked about.