Ijiraq/Ijiralik/Ijirait(pl)

The Ijiraq is a mythical creature from Inuit myth known to kidnap people. They are described as spirit creatures, though in modern times they resemble people who can suddenly transform into caribou. They sometimes resemble humans with faces having muzzles, and wearing caribou skins. Most Ijirait are seen by shamans in spirit form, but some may see them manifested in the form of a caribou. Some believe the Ijirait are the spirits of people remaining on earth and others consider Ijirait to be the same as Tarriasuit. They have excellent eyesight and blink horizontally rather than vertically. Ijirait are known to run incredibly fast, and any humans kidnapped by them are made into fast runners by having their shins and toes eaten by worms. They’re also believed to be as strong as wolves. Young hunters need to examine the antlers of caribou before shooting them to ensure they aren’t Ijirait. Some also think the fur on the back legs of a caribou can determine whether or not it is an Ijiraq. Showing fear in the presence of an Ijiraq will often lead them to attack. Some believe Ijirait target lone hunters to kill and disguise the event as an accident. Some who suffer illnesses due to an Ijiraq can be cured by describing their experience. They’re thought to despise all things coming from the ocean, and anything connected to childbirth. It believed Ijirait can buy things from warehouses without depleting the supply. Some think Ijirait are capable of making people forget things, only to remember them later on. They build stone houses hidden away in certain hills. It’s thought many Ijiraq have an object like a mirror that can be used to see into human civilization.

Citations:

Laugrand, Frédéric B., and Oosten, Jarich G.. Inuit Shamanism and Christianity: Transitions and Transformations in the Twentieth Century. United States, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2014.