Mondo's NAT #293 - Loucheux

Native American Tribes series.

Loucheux

The Loucheux are also known as the Gwich’in which is sometimes rendered as Kutchin or Gwitchin, literally "one who dwells" or "resident of [a region]. The Loucheux are a First Nations/Alaska Native people who live in the northwestern part of North America mostly above the Arctic Circle.Gwich’in often self-reference using the term "Dinjii Zhuu" instead of Loucheux. Dinjii Zhuu literally translates as "Small People" but figuratively it refers to 'Indians', not just Loucheux.

The Loucheux are well known for the construction of snowshoes, birchbark canoes, the two way sled, and intricate and ornate beadwork. Traditional caribou skin clothing and porcupine quill sewing are also held in high regard among Loucheux. Today the economy is mostly a mix of hunting, fishing, and seasonal wage paying employment.

There are approximately 9000 Loucheux in 15 small communities in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon Territory of Canada, and in northern Alaska. The Loucheux historically had a religious tradition similar to that described as animism. The way of viewing the world was strongly steeped in a natural mysticism. Magical, and mystical, knowledge to traditional Loucheux is considered natural and not requiring belief by anyone for its inherent truth. Communication with animals for mutual benefit among the Loucheux is widely acknowledged. Traditionally the Loucheux had no concept of "K'eegwaadhat", or God. Everything in the world: air, stone, water, fire, plant, or animal, possesses spirit or a life-force. Time, mortality, and space are often manipulated according to traditional Loucheux religion. Common spiritual foes of the Loucheux shaman in ancient times, and who were considered to be especially powerful as spiritual people, were the Inupiat of the Kobuk river valley, and the Cree Indians of Canada. This division has since been mended however, with little conflict in modern times. Great distance and isolation did not hinder their communication or mutual animosity according to Loucheux oral tradition. A common example of low level Loucheux power is the Loucheux hunter who has been known to dream of an animal in a specific place; upon going to this place the animal will be there waiting for the hunter. Among the Loucheux this is considered somewhat common.

Traditionally the Loucheux afterlife consisted of a country where the flora and fauna were plentiful. Even the flowers were thought to sing in the afterlife. The eternal life was reached by emptying oneself of all possessions mental, emotional, physical, historical and spiritual. Failing to behave appropriately in a system similar to karma was commonly considered the main hindrance to people's attainment of an afterlife. Positive deeds could empty oneself in preparation for death. When people die, they face a series of tests that they must pass in order to attain admittance into the afterlife; otherwise they are stuck on earth to possibly be reborn again. If a person has any attachment, possibly only negative attachment, to the qualities of their personal life he or she will not pass the tests. Only individuals themselves can determine if they are ready to move on. The Loucheux did not believe in any spiritual intermediaries such as priests. Every individual is responsible for their own spiritual enlightenment, and spiritual interpretation of experiences. "Dinjii Dazhan" (magical humans or shamans) were merely considered humans that were exceptionally gifted and thereby powerful in some aspect of life. They were held in high regard and, in some cases, were greatly feared. Contemporary belief structures have changed Loucheux society however.