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In Ojibwe mythology, 'Nanabozho' (also known by a variety of other names and spellings, including 'Nanabush', 'Wenabozho', 'Winneboujou', 'Manabozho', and 'Nanabojo') is a spirit, and figures prominently in their storytelling, including the story of the world's creation. Nanabozho is the Ojibwe trickster figure and culture hero (these two archetypes are often combined into a single figure in First Nations mythologies). He plays the same role as Wisakedjak of the Saulteaux and Cree. He was the son of ''Wiininwaa'' ("Nourishment"),^[1] a human mother, and ''E-bangishimog'' ("In the West"), a spirit father. Nanabozho most often appears in the shape of a rabbit and is characterized as a trickster. He was sent to Earth by Gitchi Manitou to teach the Ojibwe, and one of his first tasks was to name all the plants and animals.

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Note

1. The Anishinaabeg give the mother's name as "nourishment", but Schoolcraft suggests the name is from the Dakota ''Winona'' ("first-born daughter").

References

★ Benton-Banai, Edward. ''The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway''. Hayward, WI: Indian Country Communications, 1988.

★ Chamberlain, A. F. "Nanibozhu amongst the Otchipwe, Mississagas, and other Algonkian tribes," ''Journal of American Folklore'' 4 (1891): 193-213.

★ Johnston, Basil. ''Ojibway Heritage''. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1976.

★ Barnouw, Victor. ''Wisconsin Chippewa Myths and Tales''. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1977.

External links

★ How Nanabush Created the World

★ Nanabush and the Giant Beaver

★ The Legend of 'Nanabozho' (from the CBC radio archives, as an audio file)

★ Nanabozho (his entry at www.godchecker.com)