Wigwam stories told by North American Indians

by Unknown

The Indians watch the sun, moon, and stars a great deal and know much more about them than many white people who have no time for such study. When they saw the power of the sun in bringing life out of the earth in the shape of growing plants from hidden seeds, then the sun seemed like a living spirit to them.

The name Menabozho has been found to mean in the Indian language the Great White Hare. It has been found to mean more than that. Some one who has studied into the meanings of Indian words says that it means the “god of light,” or “ruler of the sun.” When you read marvelous stories of Menabozho remember then that the Indians who told these tales first had in mind one of their strong gods,—one who was swift and powerful as the light of the sun; one who was [[220]]as kind as the sun is to the earth, bringing food and blessing to every one.

The sun hides away every night; so Menabozho often rested. The sun is often troubled by clouds and storms; and Menabozho has many troubles, but usually comes out very bravely from every hindrance.

This manitou could take many forms. He very often appeared upon the earth as a man, for that is the highest form of all life. He is said to have many homes.

Some say Menabozho’s home is in the east. He rules over the east wind and watches the sun that it may follow the right path through the sky. He rules the sun. It could not leave the east without him.

The Indians in some nations have a kind of picture to represent Menabozho. It looks something like a child’s picture of a rabbit. People have thought of many reasons why the red men should have called him the Great White Hare. The Indians themselves do not seem to explain why they did it.

We know from many Indian customs and from their records, for they have kept many records, that the red men lived in America for hundreds of years before Columbus came. Where the first Indians came from the most learned white man cannot tell. He can only guess.

Some of the Indian stories tell that the red man was [[221]]created here in America. That is not strange for them to say, for they have no remembrance of another land. If they came from across the great ocean at the west, or drifted across the one at the east, they may have brought this story of Menabozho, the god of light, with them. Early travelers found some tribes expecting the Great Spirit to come among them again in the shape of palefaced men. The same belief was found far south in Mexico. It seems very strange to us. Many have thought that it was the coming of Menabozho the red men expected when the white men came.

This same Great Spirit who was to come was kind and good. He would be a brother to all creatures, man and beast. Menabozho called everything his brother. Stories that the Indians are telling of him to-day speak of him as calling the trees his brothers.

Those who are much among the Indians now, as the hunters in the northern forests are, tell of how real this kindly manitou is to the red man in his every-day life.