After seeing some recent depictions of Skinwalkers in Hollywood films, some may be wondering what the difference really is between a Skinwalker and a werewolf. Others may already think there is no difference, that a Skinwalker is just a Native American werewolf. Further muddying the waters is the Twilight series, where the Native Americans are werewolves. Some literary critics have gone so far as to say these werewolves are Skinwalkers.
Well, it is my turn to weigh in on the whole connection between werewolves and Skinwalkers. First off, there is none. Let me just clarify that once more: a Skinwalker is not a Native American werewolf. First of all, Skinwalkers have been known to take on animal forms of more than just wolves. A Skinwalker is rumored to be able to take on the attributes and deformed form of the animal whose skin they wear. That means you get Skinwalkers walking around like bears, deer, coyotes, etc.
Second major point: humans become werewolves by getting bitten by one, but Skinwalkers are not bitten by other Skinwalkers to become part of the group. How does one become a Skinwalker? Well, first off, the person needs to be Native American. There is much debate about additional requirements to become a Skinwalker, however numerous sources (which I believe to be legitimate) say a "candidate" must kill a close family member in cold blood. Some claim that new Skinwalkers must use corpses to perform magical rites, perhaps even the body of the close family member. Let's just say that these practices are nothing like the lore surrounding werewolves.
Werewolves often do not have control over when they transform, since this is powered by the moon's cycles. In some werewolf lore (mostly modern) they can transform at will. Skinwalkers are said to operate almost exclusively under the cover of darkness, but they can wear the animal skins and make their transformation at will, day or night.
There are other differences between werewolves and Skinwalkers, but I think you get the point. So the next time Hollywood comes out with a "Skinwalker" movie that is basically a bunch of werewolves riding around on motorcycles, you too can roll your eyes at the sheer ignorance, then write a ranting blog post about the whole thing.
Until next time...
4 comments:
Think of a Skinwalker as more of a Native American witch, since they are practitioners of black magic.
thanks for setting the record straight about skin walkers. Honestly, most white people don't bother to get to know other cultures and their beliefs.
I though skinwalkers could become anything they wanted, and that they didn't have to be wearing the pelt.. There was something like that in a book i read but i can't remember the name.. I'll see if i can find it.
Jack, I know Joanne Teller made such claims in her book The Navajo Skinwalker, Witchcraft & Related Spiritual Phenomena. Not everyone agrees with this assertion, but since there's no authoritative textbook on Skinwalkers I suppose anything is possible. Teller also claimed that Skinwalkers can "spirit walk" to perpetrate crimes, which you could say is somewhat similar to remote viewing, so physical obstacles won't stop them in their travels. If you're referring to a different book let me know. I'm always looking to learn more on the subject.
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