[sentient]

Originally Posted by Gem

In the traditional lore, there are nature spirits, which where I lived were called 'the man of the...' (species, river, lake or other natural feature). One has to make sure these spirits are reasonably content because they are vital to literally everything.

Taivaannaula:

Water, like all the other natural elements, was thought to have its own spiritual force. This force was controlled, or symbolized, by the guardian water spirit. Fishermen naturally had a reciprocal relationship with this spirit. The fisherman gave offerings to the water spirit and in return was given good fishing luck. After each catch, the guardian water spirit was thanked through the offerings.
In the spring, when the lakes and rivers were freed from the ice, the first catch was a major event and the guardian water spirit was given offerings. One might anger the spirit by breaking certain taboos associated with fishing. One of these taboos is the need to keep different forces apart. For instance, one could not go fishing on a hunting trip because this brought the forest force and the water force into close contact, which “ruined” the lake.

When Christianity came – folk got these beliefs quite mixed up with the old beliefs in guardian spirits – here the old Saami bloke goes to the ‘devil’ (he had heard of) - to discuss better luck in fishing:
https://kuvat.huuto.net/v1/6c08/ac6c...97834358-m.jpg

This is also why I really enjoyed "The Gospel According to the Papuans"

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