There are many stories and about The Legendary Thunderbird. With Spring almost here its seem’s fitting to speak about how in many tribes in North America, the thunderbird is a sacred being or spirit which is said to be right under the creator in a spiritual hierarchy belief system of First Nations culture. But was this creature real? let’s explore some stories and legends of Native American tribes of long ago.
Contents
Origins
Most Native American teachings and stories were told orally, passed down from generation to generation. So there is little proof about the existence of this incredible being’s called the Thunderbird but there have been many totems, drawings, beliefs and legends of the spirit throughout different unrelated North American tribes spread out across the continent that it’s hard to not to think that there was a creature like this at some point in time.
The Thunderbird in Tribes
Cree Tribe
In the Cree tribe, it was said that when light first came to the earth (O-ma-ma-ma) the earth mother of the Cree tribe gave birth to the spirits that walk this world. The firstborn was said to the thunderbird and protected the animals from evil sea serpents. Thunderbirds we believed shout out their anger with black clouds, rain, and lightning in the sky.
the way to say thunderbird in the Cree language is pihêsiw ᐱᐦᐁᓯᐤ (Pee-Yeh-Soo)
Menominee Tribe
the Menominee tribe believed that the Thunderbirds actually lived on a huge mountain that floats in the sky. These incredible spirits are known to control the weather (rain, hail, etc.) and sometimes watch what is happening in human life. It is said that they find great pleasure in fighting and the accomplishment of incredible feats. Thunderbirds are said to be the known enemies of the “Misikinubik” (The Great Horned Snake). They said to be the reason mankind has not been devoured or overrun.
The Thunderbirds of the Menominee tribe are also known to be messengers of the Great Sun and are highly respected by these peoples.
The way to say Thunderbird in Menominee language is Enaemaehkiw (Eh-na-ma-key)
Ojibwe Tribe
The Thunderbird of the Ojibwe tribes has said this creature was created by Nanabozho ( a trickster and hero figure) in order to protect the people from the evil underwater spirits. It was said they lived in the 4 directions and migrated to the land during the spring with other birds. It was during this time that they fought the underwater spirits. They stayed until the fall when the season when the underwater spirits were most active had passed. In the fall, it was said that they migrated south with other birds.
The Thunderbird was also said to punish humans who broke moral codes. The anger of the Thunderbird was said to be extreme and caused supernatural weather, thus causing many people to maintain good moral conduct.
The way to say thunderbird in the Ojibway language is Animkiig ( An-E-Mi-Key)
Winnebago Tribe
The Winnebago tribe believed that this spirit had the power to grant people great abilities. They also believed that any man who had a vision of the being during a fast would in fact one day become a mighty war chief.
The way to say thunderbird in the Winnebago language is Wakąja (Wah-Ka-Jah)
Sioux Tribe
The Sioux tribes believe that The Legendary Thunderbird is a highly respected spirit that protected humans from “Unktehila”. The “Unktehila” were said to be dangerous reptilian monsters and without the help of the Thunderbird, it was uncertain if the people would have been able to overcome the”Unktehila” alone.
The way to say Thunderbird in the Sioux language is Wakinyan (wah-keen-yahn)
Arapaho Tribe
The Thunderbird in the Arapaho Tribes is said to be a summer creature (just like many of the tribes of the Great Plains). According to their legends, The creature known as the White Owl (the creature that represented winter) was an opposing force to the Thunderbird.
The way to say Thunderbird in the Arapaho language is (Bow-Ouu) (It-Sit-Ane)
Shawnee Tribe
The Shawnee Tribes believed that the Thunderbird could change its appearance in order to interact with people. The Shawnee Tribes also believed that Thunderbirds appeared as boys and could be identified by their tendency to speak backward.
The way to say Thunderbird in the shawnee tribe is Binesi (Bih-neh-Sih)
Have We Left Anything Out About The Legendary Thunderbird?
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1 Response to "The Legendary Thunderbird."
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