European Woodw: A Historical Perspective on Bigfoot Folklore

The history of Sasquatch is a fascinating topic that has captured the imaginations of people for centuries. From indigenous folklore to medieval Europe, tales of a wild bipedal hairy human-like creature have been told and retold, evolving over time into the Sasquatch we know today. A recent video from the YouTube channel The Paranorm Girl Podcast delves into this history, and I was excited to watch it and share my thoughts. The video begins by discussing the woodw, a reoccurring motif in art and literature of medieval Europe. Described as a wild hair-covered figure, the woodw was often featured in paintings, carvings, and engravings, as well as in literature such as the first known translations of the Bible into English. The woodw was also a surname, which has survived to this day as Wodhouse or Woodhouse, meaning "wild man of the woods." The video then explores the rich tradition of wild man folklore in Germany, where wild men were often depicted as hairy forest-dwelling beings who lived on the fringes of society. Similar depictions can be found in the art and literature of France, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Spain, and Portugal, among others. But what's most interesting is that long before the first Europeans arrived in North America, many Native American tribes had their own legends about a giant bipedal fuzzy and elusive being who lived in the woods. From the skunk ape of the Simol tribe in Florida to the Leti of the Chitimacha in Louisiana, these legends lay a very compelling foundation for where we are today with the phenomenon of Sasquatch. The video also touches on the idea that some Native American tribes spoke of Sasquatch as more of a spiritual or supernatural being, while others seemed to be talking about a real creature, an animal considered brethren of other familiar animals as well as brethren of man. This idea is supported by depictions of Sasquatch in petroglyphs, totem poles, and masks and carvings, standing side by side with other flesh and blood creatures. I found this video to be informative and thought-provoking. It's always fascinating to learn about the history of Sasquatch and how it has evolved over time. I encourage all of our readers to check out the video for themselves and to continue exploring the rich history and folklore surrounding Sasquatch.