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Native American Legends: Biboon (Winter-Maker)
Name: Biboon
Tribal affiliation: Chippewa,
Ottawa,
Algonquin,
Cree
Alternate spellings: Bibon, Pipon, Bboon, Peboon, Bi-bon, Bee-boan, Pee-boan, Gichi-Biboon, Beboonikae, Biboonike, Piponuuklie, Gaabiboonike, Kabebonicca, Kabibonaka, Kabibona'ka, Kabibonu'ka, Ka-be-bon-ik-ka
Pronounced: bih-boon or bih-bone, depending on dialect
Also known as: Giiwedin, Winter-Wind, North Wind, Old Man Winter, Winter-Maker, Winter Maker, Wintermaker, Winter Spirit
Type: Wind spirit,
winter
Biboon is the North Wind spirit of the Anishinaabe tribes. His name varies widely from community to community.
Biboon (and its many spelling variants) literally means "Winter." Gichi-Biboon means "Great Winter,"
and Biboonike and Gaabiboonike are names meaning "Winter-Maker" or "One who causes the winter."
Giiwedin literally means "north wind," although this name is rarely used to refer to the mythological character.
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Native American Legends About Biboon/Wintermaker
The Helldiver and the Spirit of Winter:
Chippewa Indian legend about a brave grebe withstanding Winter-Spirit's fury.
The First-Born Sons Play Ball:
Ojibwa legend about Winter-Wind defeating the birds at lacrosse.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
Shingebiss: An Ojibwe Legend:
Children's book depicting an Ojibwe legend about Winter-Maker and a persevering duck.
The Mishomis Book: Voice of the Ojibway:
Excellent book by a Native author exploring Ojibway legends and traditions.
Algonquian Spirit:
Rich anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Algonquian tribes.
Additional Resources
Anishinaabe mythology
Ojibwe stories
Ojibway language
Cree tribe
Canadian Native American tribes
Native Americans of the Woodlands
Algonquian names
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