sea woman, The

By Frédéric Laugrand

Book Description

Through the lens of Inuit shamanic wisdom, this richly illustrated exploration reveals how ancient spiritual practices continue to shape contemporary culture and artistic expression. Frédéric Laugrand examines the profound role of angakkuuniq, traditional Inuit shamanism, which once served as the cornerstone of Arctic spiritual life, guiding healers who communicated with otherworldly beings, influenced natural forces, and maintained harmony between human and spirit worlds.

At the heart of this study lies Sedna, the powerful sea woman whose presence permeates both historical shamanic practice and modern Inuit art. Drawing from extensive archival research and fieldwork, the author traces how shamans once served as intermediaries between their communities and nonhuman entities, performing essential roles as healers, weather workers, and spiritual guardians.

What emerges is a fascinating portrait of cultural transformation and continuity. Despite Christianity's widespread adoption, the shamanic worldview persists, finding new expression through contemporary Inuit artistic traditions. The book demonstrates how spiritual concepts have evolved from ritual practice into artistic representation, allowing ancient wisdom to survive and flourish in new forms.

Enhanced by stunning color photographs and featuring artwork from Raymond Brousseau's renowned collection, this work illuminates the complex dialogue between Indigenous and Western cultures. It offers readers insight into how traditional spiritual knowledge adapts and endures, revealing the enduring power of shamanic consciousness to inform modern creative expression and cultural identity.