INDIGENOUS HORROR, A RISING GENRE?

"Please find another hobby. This is too horrible for words. How can you imagine someone enjoying this?"

- Author Shane Hawk's Grandmother on his book, Anoka.

Along the lines of Folk Horror comes the latest in horror genres to see a fledgling popularity, "Indigenous Horror", stories and novels written by native peoples from America and the rest of the world.

There is no shortage of material as every culture has some sort of supernatural and unexplained creatures or strangeness intertwined with its social structure. The 49 year-old Texan, Stephen Graham Jones, who is a Blackfeet Native American is generally regarded as one of the authors to be on the vanguard of this interesting genre.

Of course, there have been tales told by native peoples about their supernatural beliefs for years, but for the first time there are a few people who are actively seeking to collect genre material from all over the world. Following are two articles recommending some of the best the genre has to currently offer.

Who knows, we may see a "Mammoth Book of Indigenous Horror" sometime in the future.

WELCOME TO INDIGENOUS HORROR: 4 INDIGENOUS BOOKS TO TRY

By Amanda Diehl | Sep 10, 2020 | Bookriot.com

For those who haven’t been keeping on top of new releases, Indigenous horror is kind of having a moment and I am here for it. Both The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones and Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline released around the same time and I devoured both of them.

Jones crafted an eerie and at times straight-up frightening novel in The Only Good Indians, about when the past comes back to haunt us. I can also promise you that you’ll never look at an elk the same way again. In Empire of Wild, Dimaline tackles the mythology of werewolves and shifters with Little Red Riding Hood flair, as a woman investigates her husband’s disappearance and his bizarre, newfound identity. The horror is different here, relying on slow, building tension as readers try to suss out what is real and what isn’t.

As book-lovers, when we find a niche that really works for us, the natural progression is to find more to read. If you loved either, or both, of the above books, or just want new voices to read in horror, here are four more additions to the First Nations and Indigenous horror genre.

MOON OF THE CRUSTED SNOW BY WAUBGESHIG RICE

A post-apocalyptic story might not be the scariest of the following suggestions, but right now I’m feeling a very real, particular sense of dread with dystopian settings. The horror comes from events having a real possibility of happening, because if 2020 isn’t a precursor to an apocalypse, I don’t know what is. Being trapped in a community that slowly descends into madness is frightening (and something I feel like I’m currently living through). There are no supernatural creatures or vengeful ghosts, but it does serve as a reminder that sometimes the monsters can be quite human. It’s realistic and is plausible in its setup. If you’re a horror reader who prefers stories where the events or setting aren’t far off from reality, you won’t be disappointed by this one. 

TAAQTUMI: AN ANTHOLOGY OF ARCTIC HORROR STORIES BY AVIAQ JOHNSTON, RICHARD VAN CAMP, RACHEL QITSUALIK-TINSLEY, SEAN QITSUALIK-TINSLEY, THOMAS ANGUTI JOHNSTON, AND REPO KEMPT

Anthologies are a great way to familiarize yourself with new authors without needing to borrow a gazillion books from the library. It’s a low risk bet with the potential for high reward. On a personal note, I’ve been turning to them during our current time as a way to get some reading done, even when my brain power is running on empty. The title comes from an Inuktitut word meaning “in the dark” and all of the stories focus on things that go bump in the night. There’s also the added bonus of the stories being set in cold, isolated communities where help often seems very far away.

DEER WOMAN EDITED BY ELIZABETH LAPENSÉE, PATTY STONEFISH, ALLIE VASQUEZ, REBECCA NARAGON, AND WESHOYOT ALVITRE

This graphic novel anthology is made up entirely of stories and illustrations by a dozen Native and Indigenous women. I have such a weakness for women in horror, given how our very existence is fraught with tense moments that may seem mundane to others (e.g. walking alone to your car at night). The stories are inspired by the “Deer Woman” myth and are dedicated to the resiliency of Native women. For those who find visuals a large part of their spooky horror experience, I’m happy to suggest this anthology.

CROTA BY OWL GOINGBACK

This is a book that really bridges the gap between horror and thriller, and that would also satisfy the mystery readers amongst us. Crota is a great companion if you’ve read and enjoyed Devolution by Max Brooks. A monster hunting expedition steeped in folklore, Crota harkens back to the feeling of pulp novels with all the blood and guts of an Eli Roth movie. If you’re more interested in visual horror rather than the psychological or imagined, and would prefer having a more tangible horror “villain,” check this one out!

8 MORE INDIGENOUS HORROR BOOKS TO HAUNT YOUR SHELVES AT NIGHT

By Ann-Marie Cahill | Sep 20, 2021 | Bookriot.com

Around this time last year, fellow Book Rioter Amanda gave us a list of Indigenous horror books to read in 2020. It was the perfect kick to my reading list, especially during THAT year. Unfortunately, 2021 has not been that much better, and once again I am on the hunt for more Indigenous horror.

WHY INDIGENOUS HORROR?

Horror is one of the oldest forms of storytelling, with long roots in folklore, myths, and legends. As the spawn of speculative fiction, its instinctual need is to create a feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. It can be psychological or supernatural — or both. Unfortunately, more often than not, it is white writers who emphasise the folklore and cultural symbols in their horror stories without really understanding the significance of Indigenous culture or traditions. I have read way too many books which have appropriated Indigenous stories to create “native horror tropes.” Writers can do better, and as readers, so can we. 

INDIGENOUS HORROR BOOKS

MAPPING THE INTERIOR BY STEPHEN GRAHAM JONES (BLACKFEET)

“You never tell your mom anything that might worry her. Moms have enough to worry about already.” Yeah, thanks for bringing way too much realism to your characters, Jones. It starts as a haunted house story featuring a 12-year-old boy who suddenly sees an unknown person stepping through a doorway. A figure who reminds him of his father, who died mysteriously before his family left the reservation. As the boy tries to understand what is happening, he learns the price to pay for protecting his family. This is one of Jones’s earlier books and my fave of his collection, mainly because of his relatable characters — it just adds to the anxiety when you feel connected with the characters. 

I should note here, Jones has a new book out: My Heart is a Chainsaw. I am hearing great things about this, especially from fans of classic horror movies. A broken young girl takes inspiration from classic horror movies to cope with the horror in her own life. It’s on my TBR list. 

THE MARROW THIEVES BY CHERIE DIMALINE (METIS)

Dimaline gives us a book both rich in horror and raw in its contemporary context. The Marrow Thieves is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the Indigenous people of North America are being hunted and harvested for their bone marrow. This precious life source carries the key to recovering something the rest of the population has lost: the ability to dream. “Recruiters” seek out the Indigenous youth, knowing full well the extraction of marrow will kill them. While the horror elements are clear and strong, what really stands out is the narrative about the loss of culture and the sense of survival for one race over another.

BUTCHERBIRD BY CASSIE HART (MĀORI)

Came for the culture; stayed because I was HOOKED on the supernatural horror themes. Like Mapping the Interior mentioned above, Butcherbird has characters you invest in. There is family history crawling across each page. The environment unfolds around you as you read, and the supernatural themes slowly unravel like twine, until you feel permanently tied to the story. Jena is the main character, a woman with a troubled history and a determination to live her life. Her immediate family died in a fire when she was young, leaving Jena and her grandmother Rose to survive. Rose sent Jena to live with her aunt without explanation. Many years later, Rose is dying, and an adult Jena has questions: about that night, about the fire, about why Jena was sent away. And about the darkness sitting on the edges of the farm. Butcherbird is subtle in its Indigenous horror, slowly blending its creepy terror with Māori heritage and lore. This is Hart’s debut novel, released August 2021, and I am totally here for more of her writing. 

ANOKA BY SHANE HAWK (CHEYENNE & ARAPAHO)

Hawk’s debut book of short stories was released in 2020 and brings a collection of bones, witches, werewolves, and enough historical facts to make you think twice about what you read. All of the stories lead to Anoka, a small town set in Minnesota and dubbed “The Halloween Capital of the World.” These are SHORT stories but they pack a punch. Hawk reveals his experience of being an Indigenous person in the U.S. without making the experience a horror story in itself. Instead, he uses his storytelling to explore issues like identity, grief, and loneliness. Of the collection, “Soilborne” is my…favourite? That makes it sound like I love it. *shudder* I think it would be more appropriate to say it left the greatest impression. 

GHOST BIRD BY LISA FULLER (WUILLI WUILLI)

Sometimes the most horrifying part of the story is the reflection of real-life horror. Ghost Bird starts off feeling like a crime novel set in regional Queensland (Australia). The story takes a dark turn when Laney, an Indigenous teenager, goes missing in her hometown. The last place she was seen was near the property of a family with a history of violence and aggression towards the Indigenous community. Her “super rational” twin sister, Stacey, is determined to find Laney — especially when Stacey starts to experience supernatural events, connected with her family history and culture. This is a gritty and terrifying story that does not hide from its strong connections within Indigenous communities throughout Australia. Fuller finds the balance between supernatural and psychological horror, making it very difficult to sleep if you happen to finish reading around 1 a.m. Just saying.

[NOTE: This title has disappeared from Amazon.com.]

CATCHING TELLER CROW BY AMBELIN KWAYMULLINA AND EZEKIEL KWAYMULLINA (PALYKU PEOPLE)

Two authors bring two characters to life (so to speak) and give their unique perspective to the story. Since Beth Teller died, she has continued to “exist” for the sake of her father, a detective who is the only one who can still see and hear her. Beth is determined to help him with a new mystery surrounding Isobel Catching. The more they investigate, the more we learn about their small community and the history of tragedy and injustice for Indigenous Australians. Beth’s voice is clear and strong, albeit naive, while Isobel’s story is told through poetic prose. Compared with others, this is a short book with soft horror themes and most of the “heavy thinking” will be after you have finished.

A PERFECT LIKENESS: TWO NOVELLAS BY RICHARD WAGAMESE (OJIBWE)

Fans of Wagamese will know the two novellas brought together in this single volume: Him Standing and The Next Sure Thing. Both stories feature young Indigenous men who dream of better lives. The common theme is their sense of identity and their need to feel connected with their world. In the first story, Lucas is asked to carve a spirit mask for a mysterious stranger, using traditional skills he learned from his grandfather. And I will never look at a traditional wooden mask the same way again. The Next Sure Thing is centred on horse racing, where Cree Thunderboy meets a powerful man who convinces Cree to trade his skills for fame and fortune. Both stories are told in the same haunting tone, however, the bonus prize is the foreword from Waubgeshig Rice, a writer known for his own Indigenous horror books. Definitely a book worth reading twice.

PET BY AKWAEKE EMEZI (IGBO)

This book has it all: it’s supernatural LGBTQI magical realism, with a fair blend of real-life/supernatural horror to make you question your own life choices. Pet, the titular character, is here to hunt a monster. Jam, the main character, is the poor soul who unwittingly released Pet from one of her mother’s paintings. Jam and all of the children in the city of Lucille have been taught there are no more monsters. But Pet senses a darkness and it is connected to Jam’s best friend, Redemption. As a horror novel, Pet definitely scared me both with the jump scares and in that “my brain and heart feel sick.” Like their debut novel, Freshwater, Emezi has woven Igbo folklore into their storytelling with natural ease. The companion novel Bitter expands on some character history and is scheduled for release in February 2022.

If this Indigenous horror books list doesn’t feel long enough, there’s more scheduled for 2022. Top of my wishlist is a forthcoming anthology, with Mykaela Saunders as editor. Earlier this year, Saunders had a callout for speculative fiction from Indigenous Australians — including Indigenous horror. I can’t wait to see what she found.