Inilok

Inilok, commonly translated as "hunter", pertains to one of two general types of profession in Ananuk culture. They are considered the warrior, hunter, and provider class of Ananuk society.

Perception

Purpose

Although the term "inilok" is commonly translated as "hunter", this loses the nuance that all Ananuk understand by heart. An inilok in Ananuk society is anyone whose role is to gather that which already exists. Under this view, it isn't only the hunting of game that is considered to be the purview of inilok, but also things such as fighting enemies, foraging, logging, fishing, and even mining, among others. These are viewed by the Ananuk as taking the lives of others, gathering fruits or parts of wild plants, gathering fuel from the wilderness, taking from the bounty of the sea, and taking from the bounty of the earth, respectively.

Taboos & Anathema

Roles in Ananuk society are delineated strictly. As hunters, inilok are not permitted to do the work of unutiq, of makers. They are not permitted to make or mend their own tools, their own clothes, or even their own meals, as these are all considered taboo for inilok. Even an inilok's hair may be a matter of controversy as even though it is socially acceptable for an inilok to tidy their own hair, if they wish to adopt a new style, they must seek an unutiq to to do so.

Exceptions to this taboo exist for things that are customarily considered essential for the work of an inilok, such as constructing temporary shelter while on a hunt, or creating fire for the purposes of keeping warm out in the wilderness. If an unutiq is present and able to do these things, however, the inilok must allow them to do so.

Situations when an inilok may need to create something as a matter of life and death are also largely exempt from the taboo, but only insofar as what is necessary. For instance, it is permissible for an inilok to mend their weapon should it break while they are on the hunt, or create a weapon whole cloth if they have lost theirs and are under threat. If caught in a storm without the ability to return to their village, or if their supplies run out before they are able to return home in a timely manner, they are permitted to cook and eat any game they have caught or might catch, but only the lean cuts, only by roasting the meat over fire, and only if they use no spices or flavorings for the meal.

In the event of the latter, any objects that are created wholesale by inilok in the course of their outings must be left outside the village. Any objects that they repair must never cross the threshold of an unutiq's home. Indeed, if a mated inilok knowingly takes any of these items—which are considered tainted and profane by Ananuk society—into the sacred ground of the home they share with their mated unutiq, such is an offence that would justify the immediate severing of ties between the inilok and the unutiq, and often ends with the banishment of the inilok from their village.

Social Status

Although inilok do not enjoy an elevated place in Ananuk society as they are believed to be equally necessary for Ananuk society as unutiq, they are seen as strong, powerful, and noble, and their accomplishments are more visible than their counterparts in the unutiq. Consequently, Ananuk children are more exposed to the work of inilok from a young age and are more likely to look up to inilok as role models as a result. It is not uncommon for Ananuk children to play at being inilok, or to dream of taking up the mantle of an inilok, regardless of how their feelings might change as they grow up.