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Native American Legends: Chibiabos (Jiibayaabooz)

Name: Chibiabos
Tribal affiliation: Chippewa, Potawatomi, Algonquin, Meskwaki
Alternate spellings: Chipiapoos, Jiibayaabooz, Chibia'bos, Chipiapoo, Jibiaboz, Cipyapos, Cipyapus, Chipiyabos, Tcibia'bos. Cheeby-aub-oozoo
Pronunciation: varies by dialect: usually chee-bee-ah-bose or jee-bee-ah-booz
Type: Lord of the Dead, hero, wolf
Related figures in other tribes: Moqwaio (Menominee), Matiguas (Abenaki)

 Chibiabos is the beloved brother of the culture hero Nanabozho in the traditional stories of many Anishinabe communities. By some versions, Chibiabos and Nanabozho are twins; according to others, Chibiabos is Nanabozho's younger brother; and in still other tellings, Chibiabos was adopted by Nanabozho as his brother. In some communities Chibiabos, like his brother, is associated with rabbits (his name literally means "ghost rabbit"), but in others, he was a wolf spirit often represented in the physical form of a wolf. Chibiabos was murdered by water spirits (usually identified as Water Panthers or Horned Serpents), touching off a violent chain of events that included the destruction of the earth by flood. Afterwards, Nanabozho accepted that he could not bring his brother back to life, so Chibiabos became ruler of the underworld. He is portrayed as a good and kind being who takes good care of the land of the dead.

Chibiabos Stories

*Wenebojo and the Wolves:
    Chippewa Indian legends about Nanabozho's adopted wolf brother Chibiabos and his tragic death.

Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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The Mishomis Book: Voice of the Ojibway:
    Excellent book by a Native author exploring Ojibway legends and traditions.
Algonquian Spirit:
    Excellent anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Anishinabe and related tribes.

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Additional Resources

 Algonquin legends
 Algonquin tribe
 Chippewa language
 Potawatomi Indians
 Ontario languages
 Woodlands Indian
 Algic language



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