Igaluk

Igaluk is one of the names used by the Inuit people of North America for their moon deity. According to Inuit mythology, Igaluk was originally a human man living on Earth.

The legend tells of Igaluk attending a village dance with his sister when suddenly the winds extinguished all the lights. In the ensuing darkness, Igaluk sexually assaulted a woman present at the gathering. When the lamps were relit, he made the horrifying discovery that his victim was his own sister.

Devastated by this revelation, his sister cut off her breasts and hurled them at Igaluk. She then grabbed a burning torch and fled into the night. Igaluk pursued her with his own torch, but stumbled in the snow, causing his torch to go out, leaving only a faintly glowing ember.

The wind then carried both siblings skyward. The sister transformed into the sun, her torch burning brightly, while Igaluk became the moon with his dimly glowing ember. To this day, according to the myth, the moon continues to chase his sister across the heavens while she hastens ahead to escape him.