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Native American Legends: Gitaskog (Tatoskok)

Name: Gitaskog
Tribal affiliation: Abenaki, Penobscot
Alternate spellings: Gtaskog, Kitaskog, Kita-skog, Keeta-skog, Gitaskog, Giciskog, Gichi-skog, Gitaskogak (plural form)
Pronunciation: gee-tah-skog
Also known as: Msaskog, Msa-skog, Tatoskog, Tatoskok, Pita-skog, Peeta-skog, Peetaskog
Type: Lake monsters, great serpent
Related figures in other tribes: Kci-Athussos (Maliseet), Jipijkam (Micmac), Kichiginebig (Anishinabe), Moneto (Fox)

Gitaskog or Tatoskok is a Native American horned serpent, common to the legends of most Algonquian tribes. Gitaskog is said to lurk in lakes and eat humans. All of its names are variants on the meaning "great serpent" or "big serpent."

Gitaskog Stories

Horned Serpent:
    Encyclopedia article about the Wabanaki Pita-skog and other horned serpents of Native American lore.
*Champy, the Canadian Lake Monster * Champ and Other Local Legends * Champ History From Ancient Times:
    Articles about the Abenaki horned serpent Tatoskog and its connection to the modern folk monster Champ.

Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links

Giants of the Dawnland:
    A good collection of Wabanaki legends told by a Penobscot Indian author.
Seven Eyes, Seven Legs:
    Another good book of traditional myths and folktales, told and illustrated by an Abenaki author.
The Maine Monster Parade:
    Interesting book about sea serpents and other monsters throughout Maine history, including Penobscot and Passamaquoddy water monsters.

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Additional Resources

 Abenaki myths
 Wabanaki history
 Abenaki Indians
 Penobscot tribe
 Vermont Native
 Woodlands
 Algonquian language dictionary



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Learn more about the Penobscot Indians.



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