The Traditional Anishinaabe World View.pdf
Illustrated glossary offering a cross section of the traditional worldview of the Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, who for the past 1000 years or more inhabit Gaa-zaaga'ekanikaag, the Land of Many Lakes ( the North American Great Lakes area).
Illustrated glossary offering a cross section of the traditional worldview of the Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, who for the past 1000 years or more inhabit Gaa-zaaga'ekanikaag, the Land of Many Lakes ( the North American Great Lakes area).
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<strong>The</strong> Universe of <strong>The</strong> Ojibwe <strong>Anishinaabe</strong>g by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014<br />
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MANIDOO-MINJIMEMENDAMOWIN ("Spirit Memory: remembering the Mide ways and the doodem relations of<br />
the <strong>Anishinaabe</strong> Peoples"), 26x66" acrylic by Simone Mcleod, 2013. Gathering of the five major clans of the<br />
Ojibwe People at the falls of Baawiting: Crane, Bear, Little Moose/Marten, Catfish, and Loon. Click on image for<br />
further reading about this topic.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> Ojibwe <strong>Anishinaabe</strong> legacy of the Five Mystery Beings was handed over as follows: a<br />
long time ago, after the five mysterious creatures had waded ashore, they taught the<br />
People of Michigan how they could formalize and extend a vast net of kinship.<br />
Hereupon the Ojibweg began to form five groups of patrilineal kin whose members<br />
thought of themselves as descendants of an ancient animal ancestor. Although these<br />
members were scattered throughout the entire Great Lakes area and many would remain<br />
unknown to each other personally, they were all part of the same odoodem, or totemic<br />
clan. All five totems were represented by Awesiiyag (Animal Beings) ever since, because<br />
animals appeared to live in harmony with the laws of the world, and thus proved<br />
themselves the older, wiser brothers of the<br />
human beings.<br />
Eventually, these original gidoodeminaanig,<br />
or our animal totems (Ajijaak the Crane;<br />
Makwa the Bear; Moozonii the Little<br />
Moose/Waabizheshi the Marten; Maanameg<br />
the Catfish; and Maang the Loon) gave rise<br />
to twenty or more totems; each associated<br />
with these original five.<br />
<strong>The</strong> five original clans of<br />
the Baawitigowininiwag - my <strong>Anishinaabe</strong><br />
ancestors who gathered at the call of the<br />
Crane at the rapids and waterfalls of<br />
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula -, hold a set of traditional responsibilities for the People. Each<br />
member regards himself or herself as member of a clan first, then a community.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Universe of <strong>The</strong> Ojibwe <strong>Anishinaabe</strong>g by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014<br />
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