Legend of Nomads - Eaters Of Souls
by Tim McGuinness, Ph.D.
Global Mythology? Fundamental Truth?
Enduring Belief? Hysteria Of Wasteland Wanderers?

A Work in Progress!

Once strong men rode the waves in tall ships, through frozen seas in search of adventure, exploration, and commerce.  These were men such as Shackleton, Byrd, Charles McGuinness, and many many more!  They traveled the in-between places at a time when shipping was sparse, long before the global economy became real.  These men spent long and lonely times on the sea.  They also faced real dangers, that could strike down any Jack Seaman amongst them without notice or mercy.  Some of these dangers were natural, some were unnatural.  Those who saw and lived, told the tales.  Tales of long twilights, and blackest nights, when creatures stranded could be heard, and sometimes seen, calling to the passing ships.  Most that heeded the call, never returned.  Those that survived, called them Nomads!

In all the tales told by the peoples of this earth, the tale of the lone traveler in the wasteland stands out.  Almost all aboriginal peoples the world over have similar myths of these solitary wanderers of the spaces between.  The lucky, chanced glimpses and fled, before they became the deadly focus of these lone wandering spirits - so normal in appearance from a distance - yet many times, so inhuman in confrontation.  For the Nomads, as they are called by many, leave few to tell, and as it's told, eat the souls of those who fall.

Nomads can be found in every corner of this earth, from the deserts of Africa and Asia, to tropical isles.  However, those of the polar regions enjoy a special place in seafarer lore!  For these are the cause, as many a tale would tell, of abandoned vessels, with crew gone, and not a living soul to be found.  Many a tale tells of an open captain's journal, remarking about stranded survivors, brought aboard out of mercy.  Yet these journals soon end, some with a plea for salver, others in prayer, and still others in silence. 

In other cases, for those that had the fortune to pass by, tell of a sighting and nothing more.  When rescue was sent, nothing was found.  For the Nomad moves on - moves on to the luckless vessel that tends to the lamentable rescue of the lone survivor.  In a few cases, there are tales of the Dark Strangers being carried to nearby Ports O' Call, leaving death and disappearance in their wake. 

Such may be the tale of Roanoke Island.  All that was left behind was a single word scrawled "Croatoan".  Many scholars have speculated that this was the name of the settlement of a nearby aboriginal tribe, alerting their followers of their location and outcome.  However, such is the nature of language that a word can have many meanings depending upon source language and context, and are easily distorted.  "Croatoatl", has been linked with a wanderer and taker of souls known to the then dominant culture of North America: the Aztecs.  This Croatoatl, more properly known as Huehueteotl (the "Old One"), was vastly feared.  Most Nahuat speaking people, from Montana to Costa Rica, dared not emerge after sun set, lest have their very souls taken by the Old One.

Ironically, the Nahuat speaking people play a large role in the Legends of the Nomads.  They have numerous tales of travelers taking their toll, coming from a mythical homeland to their west, known as Aztlantla or sometimes as Atlantla (what some mistakenly now call Aztlan, and is possibly the origin of Atlantis).  From the beginning of their history, solitary individuals and groups came out of the west from this land, thirsty for human souls.  From such beginnings comes the blood lust of the Aztecs.  Yet throughout, they remained fearful of the solitary traveler.

Such tales occur the world over.  In the north, the Eskimos, and Innu tell of these strangers of the ice.  Admonishing their kin to beware all unknowns when out in the place distant from home.  Many peoples feared all strangers, and killed them on sight.  Other allowed them to come and be known.  But who were these Nomads?  From where or when did they come?  The Innu, have a tale of three travelers - cannibals - who came upon an Innu village.  Once killed, the cannibals, walked the earth as living dead - evil spirits to eat the souls of their aggressors.

It is the goal of this website to tell of the Nomads that I know, expand of the legend and available myths, and expand and preview a work in progress.  While most aspects are scholarly in nature, this is a work of entertainment, and as my grandfather said "never spoil a good story with the truth".  I welcome your comments, good or bad, but if their bad, don't be surprised if you see a faceless stranger in your rear view mirror some dark and lonely night! :)

If you have a tale of the Nomads, please forward it to us.
at nomads @ mcguinnessonline . com

Thank you for your interest!
And remember to avoid the stranger in the places between!

Tim McGuinness, July 2006