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Native American Legends: Cipelahq
Name: Cipelahq
Tribal affiliation: Passamaquoddy,
Maliseet
Alternate spellings: Cipelahkw, Chebelaque, Chibela'kwe, Chib'lakwe, Chebelakw, Chibaloch, Tcipila'kw, Chee-bal-ok, Gee-bel-lowk, k'Chebollock
Pronunciation: chee-buh-lock-w
Also known as: Spirit of the Night Air
Type: Traditional monster,
owl,
night spirit
Related figures in other tribes: Stikini (Seminole)
Cipelahq (or Chebelakw) is a dangerous
bird spirit of Wabanaki folklore,
used in stories told to scare children into obeying their parents. Chebelakw has an unearthly cry
and resembles a large diving owl, with only its head and talons visible. Its name probably comes from the
Maliseet-Passamaquoddy word for "scary eyes."
A Story of Leux:
Passamaquoddy legend in which k'Cheebellock carries off two girls to his home in the sky.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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Giants of the Dawnland:
A good collection of Wabanaki legends told by a Penobscot Indian author.
On the Trail of Elder Brother:
More traditional stories told by a Mi'kmaq author and illustrator.
Algonquian Spirit:
Excellent anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Maliseet and other Algonquian tribes.
When the Chenoo Howls: Native American Tales of Terror:
Eerie collection of Native American ghost stories and monster tales, well-told by a Native storyteller.
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Additional Resources
Wabanaki Indians
Maliseet Indian
Passamaquoddy Indian
Maliseet people
Languages in Maine
Woodlands
Algonquian dictionary
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