In the Inuit religion, Torngarsuk (or Torngasak) is a sea, death and underworld god, one of the more important deities in the Inuit pantheon. He is said to be the leader of the Tornat, a group of protective gods. Torngarsuk is listed as a demon or spirit in the Dictionnaire Infernal - a.k.a. Tornatik, Torngarsoak, Torngasoak, Tungrangayak, Tornasuk etc. is a mischievous demon/spirit worshiped by offering in Greenland and the northeastern regions of Canada.

Description

Torngarsuk is the master of whales and seals and most powerful supernatural being in Greenland. He appears in the form of a bear, or a one-armed man, or as a grand human creature like one of the fingers of a hand. He is considered to be invisible to everyone but the angakkuit (the medicine men or shaman among Inuit peoples). These conflicting descriptions leave us unsure as to his form, but as a grand spirit or demon Torngarsuk is invoked by fishermen and by the angakoqs" when one falls ill. There are other spirits invisible to everyone but the angakkuq, who teach men how to be happy. They see Torngarsuk as their benefactor; when the Anguekkok call upon him, they ask that if he does not come that he leave them "in the land of plenty".

Familiar

Each angakkuq keeps a familiar spirit in a leather bottle which he evokes and consults like an oracle. This familiar spirit seeks Torngarsuk in a cave and brings good fortune as well as healing power.

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