Anirniit (a.niɢ.niːt)

"Every wave, every stone, and every creature you see - they all carry an anirniq, a spirit within them. Some of these are small, while others are mighty - but they all deserve our respect."

— Aippaq, a Tuniit shaman and mage

The Anirniit are the family of spirits associated with the Taaru Peoples, including the Kylitak, Unughuit, and Tuniit. Their physical anchors are typically in the Northern Region, on and around the islands of Kitlineq and Umingmak. Like all gods and spirits, the Anirniit are Numina, born from belief and subject to transformation by the Egregoric Force.

General Characteristics

Among the Taaru Peoples, there is very little distinction between a spirit and a god. Even the Eidolon within each person is considered to be an anirniq, making every living thing a participant in the overall pantheon, both during life and after death. Worship of the Anirniit is less about reverence and more practical - when in desperate need an angaqoq might appeal to a great and powerful anirniq. But in more day to day circumstances, they may ask a favor of their father's anirniq, or negotiate a trade with a local anirniq of the wind or sea. Knowing which of the multitudes of Anirniit to trust and how to negotiate with them is at the core of being a angaqoq. The Anirniit are not distant figures to the Taaru Peoples - they are a part of everyday life and present in every creature and object in the world.

Major Figures

• Silakpak - One of the more powerful of the anirniq, Silakpak is the patron god of the Tuniit. He is a spirit of the ocean, and seals, otters, sea lions, and whales are all sacred to him. When the great hero Igalaaq beseeched Silakpak to save his people, he created the artifact known as Igalaaq's Wand, which could transform a human into a Selkie and allowed Igalaaq's people to thrive upon the sea.
• Tunniqaijuq - A terrifying god of secrets and the deep, Tunniqaijuq lurks deep within the Avannarleq Sea and punishes those who keep secrets from their communities. Tales of Tunniqaijuq are mostly told among the Tuniit and Unughuit, and it is believed to lair just north of Umingmak.
• Mahaha - These creatures are wicked spirits who roam the northern parts of the world. They are found in blizzards and empty wastes, and prey upon those who are alone in the wilderness. Their victims die laughing, as the demon tickles them and the cold claims their bones.

Significant Times & Places

Celebrations and recognition of the Anirniit are woven into everyday life, but there are a few common festivals that are special over the course of the year. One of these is Niarrukkut Apusiqtuq, when the sun returns to the world. This occurs at the end of winter, when the long dark night finally breaks and the sun rises for the first time and marks the beginning of the year. The Anirniit of the sky are particularly thanked during this time - the Anirniit of the stars and moon for shepherding the people through the long night, and the Anirniit of the sun are welcomed back into the world. The Taaru Peoples believe that the moon, stars, and sun are each worlds in their own right, and have as many Anirniit as the world under the sky, and each community will have their own patrons among them that they celebrate at this time.

Iluittaraq Isumajuq is another major festival, held at the end of summer when the sun will vanish below the horizon for the long night. This is a time to remember all those who have passed on during the previous year. It is believed that those who have died must wait until the sun is ready to undertake the long journey to the otherworlds - there are many afterlives they may pursue, depending on the way they lived and died, but to reach any of them they must follow the sun when it vanishes on its long pilgrimage. Once there, the Anirniit of the dead may still be able to come and go, but the first journey must always be in the company of the sun. During Iluittaraq Isumajuq, the people say a final farewell to the deceased, and receive whatever messages they choose to relay to the living via their ilagiit angaqoq.

Type

Religious, Pantheon

Deities

• Silakpak
• Suqtuq
• Tunniqaijuq
• Ŭnănmk

Related Species

• Numina

Related Ethnicities

• Kylitak
• Tuniit
• Unughuit

The Smallest Gods

Among the Taaru Peoples it is a common practice to create tupilaqiit, statues which are designed to invite a spirit to live within them. These statues are treated as small gods, and given minor tributes in exchange for aid in everyday life. One subcategory of tupilaqiit are the Ilagiarnaq, which are common among the Tuniit and serve as witness to a vow or promise. You can read more about the Ilagiarnaq here.