The Universe Of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, an illustrated glossary by Zhaawano Giizhik*
A Glossary written and illustrated by Native Woodland artist Zhaawano Giizhik demonstrating a cross section of Anishinaabe Izhinamowin: the traditional worldview of the Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, who for the past 2 millennia inhabit the North American Great Lakes area.
A Glossary written and illustrated by Native Woodland artist Zhaawano Giizhik demonstrating a cross section of Anishinaabe Izhinamowin: the traditional worldview of the Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, who for the past 2 millennia inhabit the North American Great Lakes area.
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Universe</strong> of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Ojibwe</strong> <strong>Anishinaabeg</strong> <strong>by</strong> Zhaaw<strong>an</strong>o Giizhik - 2014<br />
m<strong>an</strong>idoo is the greatest – in a grotto on the edge of a lake, on a small isl<strong>an</strong>d, in a glade<br />
hidden in the forest, in a current, or at the top of a mountain.<br />
MANIDOOKWE (Spirit Wom<strong>an</strong>) is <strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>cient term denoting a maternal, spiritual <strong>an</strong>cestor<br />
acknowledged in Midewiwin ceremonies as the Mother Spirit, or the l<strong>an</strong>d.<br />
In the sacred <strong>Ojibwe</strong> stories or parables - myth is a Europe<strong>an</strong> concept! - metamorphosis<br />
occurs with noticeably frequency where m<strong>an</strong>idoog ch<strong>an</strong>ge their form. N<strong>an</strong>abozho, or<br />
Wiinabozho as he is often called, is undoubtedly the most prominent <strong>an</strong>d beloved of all<br />
aadizooga<strong>an</strong>ag (gr<strong>an</strong>dfathers of the nonhum<strong>an</strong> or semi hum<strong>an</strong> class). As his primary<br />
characteristic is “shape shifting” - the ability to resume form <strong>an</strong>d personality of a hum<strong>an</strong>,<br />
or a hare, or a wild goose, or a tree stump – Wenabozho is basically a m<strong>an</strong>idoo in nature<br />
<strong>an</strong>d essence before <strong>an</strong>ything else; outward appear<strong>an</strong>ce is only <strong>an</strong> incidental attribute of<br />
his incorporeal being.<br />
Images of <strong>an</strong>cient spirit drawings (rock p<strong>an</strong>tings) of GICHI-MANIDOO <strong>an</strong>d WIINABOZHO<br />
Wiinabozho is regarded as the source <strong>an</strong>d embodiment of the lives of all sentient things,<br />
such as hum<strong>an</strong>s, <strong>an</strong>imals, <strong>an</strong>d pl<strong>an</strong>ts. Every living thing on, beneath, <strong>an</strong>d above the<br />
earth he gifted with a spirit <strong>an</strong>d a soul, <strong>an</strong>d to each he taught – through his magic<br />
powers or through his parabolic stories - the necessary tricks needed to outsmart <strong>an</strong>d<br />
outwit their enemies. Not only did he impart to the <strong>Anishinaabeg</strong> the best remedies for<br />
treating illnesses, he, being <strong>an</strong> expert shape shifter himself, taught the <strong>an</strong>imals how to<br />
disguise themselves so that they could survive.<br />
Thus the <strong>Anishinaabeg</strong>, although he often presents himself as a trickster <strong>an</strong>d a<br />
mischievous f<strong>an</strong>tasist, regard Wiinabozho first <strong>an</strong>d foremost as a m<strong>an</strong>idoo possessing<br />
great wisdom in the prolonging of life. See also: NANABOZHO (page 127).<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Universe</strong> of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Ojibwe</strong> <strong>Anishinaabeg</strong> <strong>by</strong> Zhaaw<strong>an</strong>o Giizhik - 2014<br />
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