Native Languages of the Americas: Illini Legends and Traditional Stories
This is our collection of links to Illini folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed our Native American folklore section
by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same
legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to
each other. In particular, though these legends come from the Illini tribe, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the
Miami and Menominee are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Illini legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please contact us and let us know.
˜Wisakatchekwa (also spelled Wisakachakwa
and several other ways.)
Wisakatchekwa is the benevolent culture hero of the Miami and Illinois tribes (sometimes referred to as a "transformer" by folklorists.)
It is pronounced similar to wih-sah-kah-chuck-wah. Wisakatchekwa is the same character as the Cree
Wisakejak and shares some
similarities with other Algonquian heroes such as the Wabanaki
Kluskap, and Anishinabe
Nanabush, and many of the same stories
are told in different Algonquian tribes with only the identity of the protagonist differing.
˜Kichi Manetoa (also spelled
Kiche Manit8a, Kechee Manetowa, and several other ways.)
This means "Great Spirit" in the Miami-Illinois language, and is the Illini name for the Creator (God.) Kiche Manetoa
is a divine spirit with no human form or attributes (including gender) and is never personified in Illini folklore. The name is pronounced
similar to kih-chih mah-neh-taw-ah.
Indian culture
Miami-Illinois Indian Legends:
Contacts and FAQ page
