Idlirvirissong facts for kids

Idlirvirissong, also known as Irdlirvirisissong, is a powerful spirit in the traditional stories of the Inuit people. The Inuit live in the Arctic regions, including Baffin Island in Canada and Greenland. Idlirvirissong is often seen as a tricky or evil spirit.

Who is Idlirvirissong?

Idlirvirissong is usually described as a female spirit. However, some stories say this spirit is male. Idlirvirissong is often shown as a clown-like figure. This spirit has a nose that is "turned up on the side."

Idlirvirissong's Home and Dogs

Idlirvirissong lives in a house in the sky. This spirit has many dogs. Together, they wait for people who have recently passed away. When new arrivals come, Idlirvirissong performs a dance. During the dance, the spirit says, "Qimitiaka nexessaqtaqpaka" (which means "I am looking for food for my dogs").

The Test of Laughter

If someone laughs at Idlirvirissong's dance, they face a serious consequence. Their insides are taken out and placed on a special plate. This plate is called a qengmerping. Then, these insides are fed to Idlirvirissong's dogs. But if someone does not laugh, they are safe and spared from this fate.

Family Connections

Idlirvirissong is said to be related to other important spirits. In many stories, Idlirvirissong is the cousin of the Sun spirit. These two spirits are often seen as opposites. In other versions, Idlirvirissong is the cousin of the Moon spirit, Aningan. The Inuit people of Smith Sound have a story where Aningan warns people. He tells them not to laugh when they are around Idlirvirissong.

Other Stories of Idlirvirissong

In different parts of Greenland, Idlirvirissong is known by another name: Erdlaveersissok. This name means "the entrail-seizer." On Baffin Island, there is a similar spirit called Ululiernang or Ululiarnåq.

Ululiernang: The Spirit with the Ulu

Ululiernang is described as having a hollow back. Her own insides are missing. She offers the insides she collects to the moon's ermine (a small animal). The famous explorer Knud Rasmussen wrote down a story about Ululiernang. This story was told by Orulo, an Inuit woman from Admiralty Inlet on Baffin Island.

...everyone who visits the Moon must be careful of another spirit. It is impossible to avoid meeting this spirit in the heavens. Some believe this spirit lives with the Moon. Others think it has its own house very close by. This spirit is a woman, and she is called Ululiarnåq ("the one with the ulo"). An ulu is a special knife used by women. Her main goal is to make people laugh. She wears a tunic that is too short. It ends in a pointed hood. Her face is tattooed in such strange ways that it is hard not to laugh just by looking at her. The Moon Man tries his best to keep her out of his house. But sometimes she finds a way to throw her dish onto the floor. Then she leaps in after it. She dances and hops and twists her body in funny ways. She is ready to attack anyone who smiles. She uses her knife so quickly. A person's insides are put into her dish the moment their face shows even a small smile. It is even harder not to laugh because she always has a group of pale, thin men around her. These men constantly laugh at everything she does. They are her past victims who want to see others suffer the same fate.

The Moon Man has his tricky Ululiarnåq. This is similar to how the Sea Spirit has Isarrataitsoq. And the Air Spirit has Oqaloraq. But there is a difference. The Moon Spirit always warns people about Ululiarnåq. He also kicks her out of his house when she tries to cause harm. The other great spirits do not stop their helpers from harming people. Because of this, the Moon Spirit is mostly a kind spirit. But even he can sometimes be harsh.