Silap Inua (Sila): Universal Deity That Controls Life Force Of All Living Things In Inuit Beliefs

A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – The Inuit concept ‘Sila’, a multifaceted term encompassing ‘the world, the universe; nature, the air, the wind(s), the weather; the place or space outside, the open sky’, holds profound significance in Inuit culture and mythology.

However, the one powerful word, Sila or Silap inua (“the owner of sila”), covers them all.

Scholars’ attempts to understand the Inuit Sila concept have varied, and they have different theories. Some agree that Sila means a mystic, supernatural power associated with all existence, while others argue that the spirit is not an essence or an abstract power; instead, it personifies these characters.

In Inuit beliefs, Sila is not just a masculine deity or a master of the weather. He is the ‘Master of Breath’ or the ‘Owner of Souls’, a universal deity believed to control the life force of all living things. His role is crucial in maintaining the delicate balance between the physical and spiritual realms.

Source: AncientPages.com- Read the rest of the article here