Give a summary of Native North America (Inuit): Sedna in Leeming's book: The world of myth: an arthrology 3rd edition in pg. 132-133
In the Inuit mythology of Native North America, Sedna is a sea goddess who controls the marine creatures and their abundance. She is known as the "Mother of the Sea" and is depicted as having a bottom half of a fish. According to legend, Sedna was once a beautiful Inuit girl who was betrayed by her father and married off to a bird disguised as a human. Her wedding and subsequent life with the bird were full of suffering and hardship, and she eventually died in the sea. After her death, Sedna became a goddess and controls the sea animals, deciding whether to send them to the Inuit for food or keep them away as punishment. Inuit people often offer her gifts and perform ceremonies to ensure her favor.
In Leeming's book "The world of myth: an anthology 3rd edition", pages 132-133 discuss the myth of Sedna in relation to the Inuit people of Native North America. Sedna is a prominent figure in Inuit mythology and is known as the goddess or spirit of the sea and marine animals.
The myth of Sedna revolves around her transformation from a young woman into a powerful deity. According to the Inuit tradition, Sedna was a beautiful girl who was courted by many suitors, but she rejected them all. Finally, she agreed to marry a mysterious stranger without knowing his true nature.
After their marriage, Sedna discovered that her husband was not a human but a bird spirit or a shaman in disguise. Feeling deceived and betrayed, she tried to flee, but her husband took her back to his home by boat. In her desperate attempt to escape, Sedna clung onto the side of the boat, and her father, trying to save her, cut off her fingers one by one. These severed fingers transformed into various sea creatures such as whales, seals, and fish.
Sedna, now fully transformed into a sea goddess, resides at the bottom of the ocean. She is considered the mistress of all marine life and has the power to control the availability of animal resources to the Inuit people. If the Inuit fail to appease Sedna or disrespect her, she sends storms, famine, and deprivation to punish them. Therefore, the Inuit offer sacrifices and perform rituals to ensure her favor and guarantee the success of their hunting and fishing endeavors.
The myth of Sedna in Leeming's book highlights the close relationship between the Inuit people and the natural world. It portrays Sedna as a powerful deity who holds the key to their survival and prosperity, emphasizing the importance of respecting and maintaining harmony with nature in their daily lives.