Adlet

The Adlet (also known as Erqigdlet) are mysterious creatures in Inuit mythology, found in stories from Greenland and the coastal regions of Labrador and Hudson Bay. These beings feature a distinctive hybrid anatomy: their lower bodies resemble dogs while their upper portions appear human. Despite this unusual form, they possess remarkable speed, though in traditional stories, humans typically emerge victorious in confrontations with them.

Inuit folklore characterizes the Adlet as adversaries of humans, describing them as taller than both Inuit and white people. Some narratives portray them as cannibalistic. The term "Adlet" is used primarily by Inuit from Labrador, while tribes west of Hudson Bay prefer "Erqigdlit."

Interestingly, the mythological concept varies by region. Labrador and Hudson Bay Inuit, who had contact with Native American groups, associated the monstrous Adlet race with these inland neighbors. In contrast, Greenland and Baffin Land Inuit, who had no Native American contact, used the term exclusively for the half-human, half-dog creatures.

Several etymological theories exist for the name. H. Newell Wardle suggests "adlet" might derive from "ad" meaning "below," thus "those below." Alternatively, it could stem from "agdlak" ("striped, streaked"), possibly referring to the face-painting practices of western Native Americans. "Erqigdlet" may be a derogatory term for the same people. While "Atlat" means "others" in reference to Native Americans from an Inuit perspective, Wardle considers this connection secondary and based on phonetic similarity.