[There is a Micmac legend which is so magical and mystical, so inspired with Eskimo Shamanism, that it would not be remarkable if it had been originally a sacred song. This is The Giant Magicians.] There was once a man and his wife who lived by the sea, far away from other people. They had […]

The magicians of all countries, be they of Africa, Asia, or North America, are invariably represented by travelers as holding their flock in subjection, and never being doubted as to power or skill. But there are skeptics or Agnostics among the men of the woods as well as among those of civilized cities. There are […]

Another magic means was the influencing high and mysterious powers. Of this the following is an admirable illustration:– Tumilkoontaoo, or the Broken Wing. (Micmac.) An Indian family lived on the sea-shore. They had two sons; the eldest of these was married, and had many small children. They lived by fishing; they chiefly caught eels. It […]

The study of magic as it is believed in or understood by the Indians of America is extremely interesting, for it involves that of all supernaturalism or of all religion whatever. But if we, declining all question as to the origin of monotheism, limit ourselves definitely to what is known of Shamanism alone, we shall […]

Now the great lord Glooskap, who was worshiped in after-days by all the Wabanaki, or children of light, was a twin with a brother. As he was good, this brother, whose name was Malsumsis, or Wolf the younger, was bad. Before they were born, the babes consulted to consider how they had best enter the […]

how Glooskap Made the Elves and Fairies, and Then Man of an Ash Tree, and last of all, Beasts, and of his Coming at the Last Day. (Passamaquoddy.) Glooskap came first of all into this country, into Nova Scotia, Maine, Canada, into the land of the Wabanaki, next to sunrise. There were no Indians here […]

Of the Great Deeds Which Glooskap Did for Men; How He Named the Animals, and who they were that formed his Family. (Passamaquoddy.) Woodenit atbk-hagen Gloosekap: [Footnote: Passamaquoddy.] this is a story of Glooskap. It is told in traditions of the old time that Glooskap was born in the land of the Wabanaki, which is […]

How Win-pe the Sorcerer, Having Stolen Glooskap’s Family, Was By Him pursued, and how, Glooskap for a Merry Jest cheated the Whale. Of the Song of the Clams, and how the Whale smoked a Pipe. (Micmac.) N’kah-ne-oo. In old times (P.), in the beginning of things, men were as animals and animals as men; how […]

Of the Dreadful Deeds of the Evil Pitcher, Who Was Both Man and Woman, and how she fell in love with Glooskap, and, being scorned, became his Enemy. Of the Toads and Porcupines, and the Awful Battle of the Giants. (Passamaquoddy.) When Glooskap came into the world it abounded in giants, monsters, sorcerers and witches, […]

How the Story of Glooskap and Pook-jin-skwess, the Evil Pitcher, Is told by the Passamaquoddy Indians. [Footnote: In this story Glooskap is called Pogumk, the Black Cat or Fisher, that is, a species of wild cat, while Martin is a N’mockswess, sable. There seems to be no settled idea as to what was the totem […]

(Micmac.) When Glooskap was pursuing Win-pe, he one day on Uktukamkw saw from afar flying over water the Kwe-moo (M.), or Loons. And thrice did their chief make the circle of the lake, coming near to the land of men and beasts every time, as if he would fain seek somewhat. Then Glooskap asking him […]

(Micmac.) Now it is told in another tradition–and men tell even this differently–that pitche, in these old times (P.) Glooskap’s seven neighbors, who were all so many different animals, took away his family, and that he followed them, even as it has been written, unto Newfoundland. And when he came there it was night, and, […]

How Glooskap made his Uncle Mikchich, the Turtle, into a Great Man, and got him a Wife. Of the Turtles’ Eggs, and how Glooskap vanquished a Sorcerer by smoking Tobacco. [Footnote: This legend of the tortoise is carefully compiled from six different versions: the narration of Tomah Josephs, a Passamaquoddy; the Anglo-Indian manuscript, already cited; […]

(Micmac, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot.) Over all the Land of the Wabanaki there is no place which was not marked by the hand of the Master. And it is to be seen on hills and rivers and great roads, as well as mighty rocks, which were in their day living monsters. For there is a very wonderful […]

the Story of Glooskap As Told in a Few Words By a Woman of the Penobscots. “Glus-gahbe gave names to everything. He made men and gave them life, and made the winds to make the waters move. The Turtle was his uncle; the Mink, Uk-see-meezel, his adopted son; and Monin-kwessos, the Woodchuck, his grandmother. The […]

How Glooskap, Leaving the World, All the Animals Mourned for Him, and how, ere he departed, he gave Gifts to Men. (Micmac.) Now Glooskap had freed the world from all the mighty monsters of an early time: the giants wandered no longer in the wilderness; the cullo terrified man no more, as it spread its […]

(Micmac.) N’kah-nee-oo. In the old time (P.) Glooskap came to Pulewech Munegoo (M., Partridge Island), and here he met with Kitpooseagunow, [Footnote: Kitpooseagunow, “one born after his mother’s death,” is a magician-giant, who plays in the Algonquin mythology a part only inferior to that of Glooskap, whom he in every way resembles. Both are benevolent, […]

How Glooskap made a Magician of a Young Man, who aided another to win a Wife and do Wonderful Deeds (Micmac.) It is well known unto all Indians who still keep the true faith of the olden time that there are wondrous dwellers in the lonely woods, such as elves and fairies, called by the […]

How a Certain Wicked Witch Sought to Cajole the Great and Good Glooskap, and of her Punishment. (Micmac.) N’karnayoo, of old time. Once it came to pass that Glooskap met with an evil witch, and she had made herself like unto a fair young girl, and believed that he could not know who she was. […]

(Micmac.) N’karnayoo: wood-enit-atokhagen Glooskap. Of the old times: this is a story of Glooskap. Now there went forth many men unto Glooskap, hearing that they could win the desires of their hearts; and all got what they asked for, in any case; but as for having what they wanted, that depended on the wisdom with […]