The curse of the wendigo is a phenomenon steeped in Native American folklore. The wendigo is a mythical creature that is said to haunt the forests and frozen tundra of North America. According to legend, the wendigo is a cannibalistic being that possesses those who resort to cannibalism themselves. The curse of the wendigo is believed to be passed down from generation to generation. It is said that the curse can be triggered when a person consumes the flesh of another human being. Once the curse is activated, the individual becomes possessed by the wendigo spirit, transforming into a creature similar to the legendary beast.
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In addition to encouraging members of his congregation to pray, Ashraf does numerology, calculating a complicated series of numbers using the names of the complainant, their date of birth and time of day. A man of letters, chemist, musician, bureaucrat, skull reader, cook, practitioner of black magic he gets confused and loses himself in the chaos of all these various occupations.
Once the curse is activated, the individual becomes possessed by the wendigo spirit, transforming into a creature similar to the legendary beast. Those afflicted by the curse of the wendigo are said to suffer from insatiable hunger and a craving for human flesh. They exhibit extreme physical changes, such as elongated limbs, sharp teeth, and glowing eyes.
Birds, snakes, and throwing meat: Superstition and black magic in Pakistan
LAHORE, Pakistan — Pervez Shah says he doesn’t practice black magic. My guide, Mushtaq, says otherwise.
To get to Shah’s office we travel down a narrow back alley in a residential area on the edge of Lahore. Shah sits inside, his hands covered in oversized rings, surrounded by a sea of terrariums and large, colored portraits showing him holding snakes, scorpions, and an owl — its wings outstretched and its round eyes glaring at the camera.
Shah fashions himself as a Pir, or a living saint — figures that play an important role in some branches of Islam. The Pirs are considered to be closer to God than the average human, and can offer guidance and help to other believers by praying for them in a time of need. The title is passed down from generation to generation, and many Pirs are also part of the large land-owning families that control huge swaths of rural Pakistan.
Shah uses the honorific title 'Syed' before his name, which means that he claims to be a direct descendent of the Prophet. Wearing a Muslim prayer cap and a beard — commonly associated with the pious — Shah says he offers spiritual guidance and healing to the poor, lost and ill.
As in other parts of South Asia and many Middle Eastern countries, the penchant for faith healers and black magic is deeply embedded in Pakistani society, despite Islam’s injunction against magic. From rich landlords to the menial workers who eke out a living in the backstreets of the country's cities, Pakistanis routinely turn to spiritual healers to cure ailments from cancer to epilepsy, to seek guidance on marriage, or even to deal with overly talkative daughters-in-law. Superstition abounds: It's bad luck to start a business on a Tuesday; breaking a glass is good luck; and doing housework in the evening will help ward off evil nighttime spirits.
“The magic exists, these evil spirits exist. There is no conflict [with these beliefs] in Islam,” explained Pir Syed Nisar Ashraf, when I visited him before heading to see Shah. Deep within the walled old city of Lahore, Ashraf runs a mosque that is named after his grandfather, also a Pir.
But Ashraf distinguishes between believing in magic and practicing it: “There are two treatments for all problems,” he says, “The spiritually pure one and black magic.” He explains that he often hears stories of men and women being exploited by fake Pirs who practice black magic.
“Women often go to people who practice black magic. They [the healer] say the problem is because of the mother-in-law or daughter-in-law, and they promote conflict between people. Black magic harms people, though it is effective,” he says.
Standing in Shah’s office, I recall Ashraf’s scornful words about fake Pirs and black magic. I enquire about the snakes in the pictures — unusual for a religious man to have on hand. He beckons me into a dark room just off his office. From under the desk he produces a small pink plastic basket and whips the lid off with a flourish.
Inside are three snakes. A black cobra unwinds itself from around a small clutch of eggs and rises menacingly from the basket. Shah picks up one of the other snakes and pops its head into his mouth. He then repeats the trick as I recoil. "Very poisonous," he says with a wide smile that reveals his red teeth, stained from years of chewing pan — a preparation of betel leaf, areca nut, and sometimes tobacco.
Shah says that the snakes don't take part in any of his remedies. He says he just instructs people to read Quranic verses. Mushtaq, my guide, says that he's seen Shah write the name of a man's enemy on a piece of paper and feed it to one of the snakes. Mushtaq says Shah then instructed the man seeking to dispose of his enemy to throw the snake in the canal. "Your enemy will drown when the snake returns to me," Shah allegedly said.
I meet two of Shah's regular customers on the way out. One tells me that he first came to Shah because his son was struggling to get the money and necessary documents to immigrate to the United States. After visiting Shah, the man suddenly received a check for 100,000 rupees, which he used to pay for his son's US visa. His son now lives in Maryland. The other says that Shah helped him marry the woman of his choice and then helped them have children. Shah also intervened when his business was going badly.
If Shah does stray beyond pure prayer, Ashraf, back at the mosque, does as well. In addition to encouraging members of his congregation to pray, Ashraf does numerology, calculating a complicated series of numbers using the names of the complainant, their date of birth and time of day. Sometimes Quranic verses are added in. The numbers are then written on a piece of paper called a naqsh, and worn around the neck in an amulet, known as a taveez.
Ashraf also encourages some of his congregation to release birds. “If a person is not in a good peace of mind spiritually, you release a bird. You give life [to the bird] and that brings peace. There is logic in this matter,” he said in a matter-of-fact way.
In the markets dotted around Lahore, and sometimes at the intersections on the roads, you can find the bird sellers. They sell birds of all different shapes and sizes, which they say help bring blessings for different things. Sheik Shahid, who has been selling birds for 25 years, says that people sometimes come to him with very specific requests, like an all black hen or a pair of mating doves.
“It is what the Pirs have told them to get. We don’t usually ask why, we just try to fulfill the request,” he said with a shrug.
Along the main road leaving the eastern section of Lahore, I encounter another superstition involving birds. Men stand at the roadside with small bags of meat. Drivers stop and buy a bag as their cars leave the city. Feeding the birds circling overhead — mostly crows and kites — is meant to offer protection to the driver and passengers as they set out on a journey.
“If you do good to the birds they will do good for you,” explains Muhammad Khalid, one of the meat sellers. “But these are all superstitions and have little basis in Islam,” he adds, explaining that only some people ask him to recite an Islamic prayer before he throws the meat to the birds.
Unfortunately, the sight of a foreign woman standing on the side of a road seeking the birds' blessings attracts a small crowd. When my bags of meat are emptied onto the grass, the birds don’t come. I ask Khalid if that means I won’t get my good fortune. He assures me that my 20 rupees will have the requisite effect.
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It is believed that they also gain supernatural abilities, such as enhanced strength and speed. The curse of the wendigo is viewed as a punishment for the most heinous of crimes – cannibalism. The wendigo is often seen as a cautionary tale, warning against the consumption of human flesh, as it is believed to unleash a dark and uncontrollable force within a person. In some Native American tribes, rituals and ceremonies were performed to ward off the curse of the wendigo. These ceremonies often involved purification rituals and offerings to appease the wendigo spirit and protect the tribe from its wrath. The curse of the wendigo has transcended folklore and has made its way into popular culture. It has been depicted in numerous books, movies, and video games, often as a terrifying and malevolent force that brings destruction and chaos. While the curse of the wendigo remains firmly rooted in mythology and legend, its influence can still be felt today. The story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the consequences of giving in to our darkest impulses and the importance of maintaining our humanity..
Reviews for "The Wendigo Curse: Is there a Cure?"
1. Amy - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to reading "The Curse of the Wendigo" based on the intriguing synopsis and promising reviews. However, I was extremely disappointed with the execution of the story. The plot was poorly developed and lacked coherence. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, making it difficult to connect or care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style was repetitive and lacked descriptive depth. Overall, "The Curse of the Wendigo" failed to deliver an engaging and gripping storytelling experience.
2. Tom - 1 star
"The Curse of the Wendigo" was a major letdown for me. The pacing of the book was painfully slow, with very little happening for the majority of the story. I found it difficult to stay engaged and ended up skimming through many pages. Moreover, the dialogue was poorly written and unnatural, making it difficult to relate to the characters. The ending felt rushed and anticlimactic, leaving me with a feeling of dissatisfaction. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and well-crafted horror story.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I am a fan of horror novels, so naturally, "The Curse of the Wendigo" caught my attention. Unfortunately, it failed to live up to my expectations. The storytelling felt disjointed and confusing, with multiple plot threads that were never properly resolved. The character development was lacking, and I found it hard to care about their struggles and dilemmas. Additionally, the horror elements were underwhelming and lacked tension, failing to create a truly chilling atmosphere. Overall, "The Curse of the Wendigo" fell flat and left me wanting for a more engaging and satisfying reading experience.
4. John - 2.5 stars
"The Curse of the Wendigo" had an intriguing premise, but it ultimately fell short of its potential. The pacing of the book was uneven, with long stretches of slow and uneventful scenes followed by sudden bursts of action. This made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Furthermore, the writing style felt clunky and overly descriptive, often sacrificing the flow of the narrative. While there were some interesting moments, they were overshadowed by the book's flaws. Overall, "The Curse of the Wendigo" was a mediocre read that did not leave a lasting impression.