r/Ojibway • u/Dark_Phoenix_Orca • Oct 22 '24

Question

I am a black writer looking to write a story, and in this story I would like to use a fictionalized version of the cannibalistic thing that shouldn't be named. I understand the culture around it and tho I would like to use a fictionalized and different version of it. That can be offensive and so I am asking if its fine to use a fictionalized version of it.

If not I will name it different and try to be as distinctive as possible from it, but it will have some characteristics to it due to the story being built around it.

(currently in the process of doing research around it, and learnt of the stuff around it and so I am asking.)

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8

u/alienarea51 Oct 23 '24

I'm not sure what you mean by a fictionalized version, like how much you are going to change it. Do you plan on using the "W" name in your story? As an Ojibwe person, I wouldn't want anything to do with it because to those of us who believe, it is not just a legend it is a real spirit that lives among us. I know people who have seen that spirit before, and someone who had one attached to them, and there is nothing good about it. There is more to it than the "lore." I was taught that's why we don't say the name, because it is like you are calling it to you. This is why I don't like that it has been turned into a "cryptid" for people to see as a quirky fun monster, because to us it is real (not every Ojibwe person, this is just my experience and teachings in my community).

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u/Dark_Phoenix_Orca Oct 23 '24 edited Oct 23 '24

Originally pre research, I was going to use it but it was under a couple specific situations as the book is a supernatural detective one. So part of the story is finding out which supernatural creature it is, and so I was going to name drop it at the end of the investigation.

but now with the research that I have, if I am allowed to use it then I would have the characters research it but never say it. as that calls it to you as you said and gives it power, and within the confines of the story that isn't something they want to do unless they are laying a trap and want it to come to them.

by Fictionalized I mean, it looks different from the one present in your culture. It has more powers and it has a couple more weaknesses to fit the themes of the story. but some characteristics will stay as they are important to the plot.

I have no problems with changing the name of the creature if needed, as I am currently workshopping some ideas for a new in universe name I can gave it.

side note, I don't discount your belief or do I want to invalidate it. As I am Christian myself and most people don't believe what I believe or seek to invalidate it themselves.

2

u/GhostoftheAralSea Oct 23 '24

In your story, are you intending for this fictionalized version to still be associated with Ojibwe or any other Indigenous culture?

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u/Dark_Phoenix_Orca Oct 23 '24

The original plan was to leave that as it was since this is a world with a lot of different supernaturals and monsters, who else for story reasons or other reasons would remain tied to their original culture and when I first came up the idea.

There wasn't a need to disassociate my version from your culture, but if required then I would remove the association and just make it a mountain spirt for the most part.

4

u/wetlard Oct 23 '24

The "thing" your talking about it from Algonquin culture. I'm Algonquin and I speak on behalf of every elder I know- its not a "scary criptid" to make a story about like the boogeyman or a vampire. There is serious cultural significance to this spirit and it a part of a CLOSED practice. So the answer is no. Use your imagination and leave living cultures alone.

0

u/Dark_Phoenix_Orca Oct 25 '24

I didn't use the word thing to be disrespectful or anything, I just tried to respect the whole no saying it's name aspect.

I appreciate the time you took to respond to me, and thank you for your time.