An illustrated glossary by Zhaawano Giizhik*

The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014
(the process of taking on qualities of a manidoo; daughter of Nookomis and mother of
Wiinabozhoo); Bagwajikwe the Wilderness woman, a potentially dangerous female
spirit; encountered by men on their dream quests; Mishi-bizhiw (the
Stylized Anishinaabe thunderbird figures
Left: ”Windigo” (Spirit of Excess), ink drawing. Right: painting “Thunderbird with Grandfather”, both by the late Norval
Morrisseau/Miskwaabik Animikii.
Magic Underwater Panther/Lynx associated with the sacred miskwaabik (copper) who
provides food for the thunderbirds and is always on the watch and on the prowl in the
waves of the Great Lakes); Majiigawiz (also known as Gabeyang, the west wind, eldest
brother of Wiinabozho, who stole the wampum from the grizzly bears in the Land of the
Setting Sun and gave it to the Anishinaabeg); Papiigawiz (also known as Yenaadizi,
brother of Wiinabozhoo, patron of winds and dances, creator of breezes, whirlwinds, and
hurricanes); Jiibayaabooz (Ghost Rabbit, youngest brother of Wiinabozho and the
patron of music and the underworlds of earth and waters); Gayanwe (a legendary
manidoo who seeks to destroy Wiindigoowag, or cannibalistic creatures); Gitchimisaabe
(also called Kitch-sabe or Bigfoot, a giant who teaches mankind the virtue of
Honesty); Mizabigam (Little Man of Iron, a mysterious figure who inhabits picturesque
caves and unique rock formations, deep arroyos and other places suitable for the seeking
of visions); memengwaag (butterfly-spirits, which Wiinabozho created to please the
children by throwing beautifully painted pebbles to the winds); memegwesiwag
(noseless, hairy-faced anthropomorphic, dwarf-like friendly creatures that live on river
banks and steep slopes in rocky areas around the Great Lakes who sometimes are seen
paddling a stone canoe as the emerge from their rock home and who are famous for their
medicine. They usually travel in small groups and appear only to pure-minded people –
which are often children; Nibiinaabekwe (Sleep Being Woman or the sweet-voiced but
treacherous Mermaid who lures people into the lakes); Nibiinaabe (Sleep Being; the
Merman, a manidoo that dwells at the bottom of the sea, lales, and rivers luring women
in his hideaway, where they are changed into mermaids); bagwajininiwag (friendly
little spirits who inhabit the sandy shores of lakes, warning passers-by of the fearful
The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014
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