The Universe Of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, an illustrated glossary by Zhaawano Giizhik*

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The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 never attributed human form like (sometimes) the Christian God. It is the supreme spirit that has divided itself and “enspirited” all things in the universe with a jichaag (consciousness) that is essentially the same. Giizis, the sun who supersedes all beings of the natural world, is the ultimate symbol of fatherhood and the spiritual relationship between the Anishinaabeg and the Great Mystery. Like aadizoogaanag, the myriads of manidoog as perceived by the Anishinaabeg are natural forces, and manifestations of the “other” world. They too may resume human, animal, or plant-like characteristics (or of any given matter) without being conceived as such. It is in dreams and “spirit flight” (trance) that the human individual, that is, his ojichaag (spirit/soul, the essential self) comes in direct communication with the ojichaagomaag of these supernatural personalities. Some manidoog on or beneath the earth’s surface are remote and, in the capacity of aadizoogaanag, related to creation; others occasionally appear in natural guise with distinct human or animal personalities; Wiinabozho, Wiisakejaak, the animikii-binesiwag (thunderbirds), and the horned misi-ginebigoog (giant underworld-snakes) belong to this class. Thunderbirds, which come in different sizes, are considered the most powerful manidoog. They migrate with the birds that appear in spring and disappear in the fall. They are in charge of the Second Degree of the Midewiwin Lodge, as well as the Shaking Tent ceremony of the Midewiwin. They assist the people by driving away the ominous earth and water manidoog. Thunderbirds and the misi-ginebigoog or Sea Serpents of the lake (see the below image) are adversaries. In fact, Thunderbirds feed upon the great horned Sea Serpent of the lakes. Visually, connecting lines from Thunderbird feathers sometimes run from the wings, illustrating the knowledge and power given from above, to those below. Thus Thunderbird symbolizes the connection between sky and earth. Other manidoog, some of which are pure spirit, or inner essence of being, reside in certain extremely sacred places, such as glades in mysterious forests, or huge rocks along shorelines, or caves, or small lakes. The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 32
The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 “Thunder dancer, Metamorphosis, and Thunderbird” by the late Jackson Beardy (Oji-Cree Medicine Painter) Another class of manidoog, which inhabits the several regions above the earth, is associated with the four corners of the earth such as giwedin (the north), waaban (the east), zhaawan (the south), E-bangishimog (ruler of the west, father of the semi spirits Madjiigawiz, Papiigawiz, Jiibayaabooz, and Wiinabozho), Ningaabi-anang (the Evening Star in the west) and Waabananang (the Morning Star in the east); or, like Biboon (winter), Ziigwan (spring), Niibin (summer) or the sun, the moon, the stars and the earth, they control the cycle of the seasons and the annual regeneration and termination of life. The different layers of the universe, although strictly separate, are vertically united by the great Tree of Life, which is Giizhik, the northern white cedar. Snakes, toads, and frogs are emissaries between the earth and underworld; likewise otters and turtles are intermediates between the lakes and rivers and their underworlds. Above illustration: “Turtle, Symbol Of Spirit Flight: Traveling Through Space and Time” digipanting by Zhaawano Giizhik Although the creatures of extraordinary dimension that inhabit the universe are usually referred to as aadizoogaanag and manidoog, they are called bawaaganag (dream visitors) when seen or heard in dreams. Sometimes a grandfather or a spirit resumes the form of a human being - male or female - or that of an animal, or a bird, or a rain cloud, or a boulder, or a shell, or a kettle, or a pipe – or any given object of the physical world or material culture - which is essentially a temporary wiiyaw, or outward form the aadizoogaan or manidoo has chosen to animate with his jichaag, or inner essence of being. The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 33
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The Universe Of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, an illustrated glossary by Zhaawano Giizhik*

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