The beliefs of the Peoples of The Algonquin
The Algonquin had many beliefs about spiritual beings and nature. The Algonquin Nation was the largest in what is now the eastern United States. The Algonquin people lived by hunting and fishing, and the word ‘Algonquin’ means “place of spearing fish from the bow of a canoe.” The difference between the Algonquin group and other Nations is that there is not just 1 big Nation located in that area, but a lot of related groups speaking the same language.
Cannibal Creatures
The Algonquin people believed that Cannibal monsters lived in the deepest parts of the forests and would eat them. An example of this are Wendigos, and other similar evil spirits. These hunts would occur if a group of people got lost in the forest and resorted to cannibalism, then they would be cursed with the urge to eat humans. The only way to kill a Wendigo is to kill it then burn its corpse.
Shamans
Shamans were important to the Algonquins because they were the only people who could talk to spirits, due to their knowledge and abilities Shamans were considered to be the most important spiritual leader in each of the Algonquins Nation. They could cure the sick by performing rituals, rituals would drive the evil spirit out, as well they could curse someone to bring one sickness.
Ceremonies
Ceremonies and feasts were important to the Algonquins because they would have a ceremony/feast for: Changing of seasons, respect for nature, birth, puberty, marriages, and death. Algonquins would often paint their face to express their emotions: red symbolizes birth, black symbolizes death or other internal grief, purple symbolizes a waypoint in life such as marriages or puberty.
Algonquin Spirits
Michabo was the trickster god of Algonquin (also known as Nanabozho). He was a beloved god that gave wisdom to the Algonquin Nation. Michabo’s little brother or twin (depending on who’s telling it) is Chibiabo, who used to appear on earth and then got murdered by water spirits. He then became the god of death, and was known as the kindest to the dead. Michabo’s and Chilbiabo’s Grandmother was an important goddess, known as Nokomis, also known as “the daughter of the moon.”
Conclusion
The Algonquin tribe had a lot of beliefs such as: Cannibalistic creatures, ceremonies, spirits, rituals to cure sickness, and gods/goddesses. Those were all important to the Algonquin Nation. Unfortunately, these beliefs and cultures have slowly faded due to time,the Europeans residential schools and treaties.
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