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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.

Important Miami Mythological Figures

Click on each character's name for more detailed information about his or her role in Illini mythology.

Wisakatchakwa: Wisakatchekwa is the benevolent culture hero of the Miami and Illinois tribes (sometimes referred to as a "transformer" by folklorists.) His name is pronounced similar to wih-sah-kah-chuck-wah. Wisakatchekwa is the same character as the Cree Wesakechak and shares some similarities with other Algonquian heroes such as the Wabanaki Gluskap, and Anishinabe Nanaboozhoo; many of the same stories are told in different Algonquian tribes with only the identity of the protagonist differing.

Kichi Manetowa (also spelled Kiche Manit8a and several other ways.) This means "Great Spirit" in the Miami-Illinois language, and is the Illini name for the Creator (God.) Kiche Manetowa is a divine spirit with no human form or attributes (including gender) and is never personified in Illini legends. The name is pronounced similar to kih-chih mah-neh-taw-ah.

Illini Indian Folklore

*Miami-Illinois Indian Legends:
    Online collection of several Miami and Illinois legends.
*The Snake Husband:
    Illini legend about a woman who married a snake.
*The Painted Turtle:
    Illinois Indian folktale about a woman who became a turtle.
*Rabbit and Possum:
    Miami-Illini folktale about how Rabbit got his harelip.
*How Wisakatchekwa Got Into Some Trouble:
    Illini stories about the demigod Wiskatchekwa.

Recommended Books on Illini Mythology

Algonquian Spirit:
    Excellent anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Miami-Illinois and other Algonquian tribes.

Additional Resources

 Illini religion
 Illini words
 Books of Native American legends
 Indian religions
 Illinois Native Americans
 Eastern Woodlands Indians
 Algonquian Indians
 Illinois culture
 Native American



Back to Indian mythical monsters
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Learn more about the Illini.



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