Ojibwe+Demingods+or+Spirits+in+Tracks


 * Misshepeshu **

Misshepeshu is a water demigod in Ojibwe mythology that is a large, white cat with horns on its head considered to be quite powerful. Misshepeshu dwells within lakes though it is unknown why this huge cat resides there. While the true water god would be good to any who respected him, there was another big water cat, a spirit, who could bring good and bad luck onto an Indian based upon their nature. Considerably evil in comparison to the true water god, the spirit would bring trouble and affliction to those who dreamt of the spirit during times of fasting. Though the true water god accepted various offerings around June each year, including white or black dogs, the spirit desired humans but accepted six month old white pups as replacement. Some believe Misshepeshu used to appear more frequently because the white man was not present and creating so much noise.




 * Bears **

The bear is considered to be a sacred animal to the Ojibwe and thought to have been a human, or at least held a human form, in earlier times. Bones were kept for various reasons, one being for “sucking rites” where a medicine man used a hollow bone to suck out illness or disease attributed to sorcery. If an Indian kept the shoulders of a bear, he would mark it to extend his life; each mark equated to one more year. After the years passed by, he would add more marks to extend his life further. The sacred bear was believed to be white and horned with red feet containing yellow spots. Those who obtained albino bear skin were honored. Bear meat required smoking before consumption as it brought on diarrhea; Ojibwe contributed this to the belief that one cannot overeat demigod meat.




 * References **

Morriseau, Norval. //Legends of My People: the Great Ojibway//. Ed. Selwyn Dewdney. Toronto: Ryerson, 1965. Print.

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