Adlivun
Adlivun is the underworld realm of Sedna, the Sea Woman. A place where souls of the dead were taken.
After Sedna’s dogs ate her father’s hands and feet, he cursed them all. Suddenly the earth opened and they all fell down into the underworld region of Adlivun. There Sedna’s large house was guarded by her dog, who moved only slightly to allow the dead souls to pass.
The Sea Woman became very angry when humans broke any of her taboos.
She would then hide game animals from the hunters and the people began to starve. While in a ceremonial trance, the spirit of a shaman (angakok) traveled to Adlivun in order to appease her and win the release of the animals. But first he had to get past the guard dog and only the most powerful angakok could accomplish the task.
SEE ALSO:
- Angakok
- Sedna
- Inuit Mythology
- Native American Mythology
Source: Handbook of Native American Mythology
