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Native American Legends: Jipijka'm (Chepechcalm, Tcipitckaam)

Name: Jipijka'm
Tribal affiliation: Mikmaq
Alternate spellings: Jupijkám, Tcipitckaam, Chipitchkam, Chepitchcalm, Kchi Pitchkayam, Ktchi Pitchkaam, Chepechcalm, Chepichkaam, Chepitchkaam, Che-Pitch-Calm, Chepichealm, Jibichkam, Jipijkma, Chepitkam, Ktchi-Pitchkayam
Pronunciation: chih-pitch-kawm
Also known as: The plural form of their name is Jipijkamak or Jipijkmak, and the female form is Jipijkamiskw or Jipijkamiskwa.
Type: Lake monsters, serpents
Related figures in other tribes: Kci-Athussos (Maliseet), Tatoskok (Abenaki), Mishiginebig (Anishinabe), Maneto (Fox)

Jipijka'm is a great horned serpent, common to the legends of most Algonquian tribes. It is said to lurk in lakes and eat humans. Since it has only one horn according to most Mi'kmaq stories, it is sometimes called the Unicorn Serpent in English. Its horn is usually described as red and yellow and has powerful magical qualities.

Jipijka'm Stories

Horned Serpent:
    Encyclopedia article about the Wabanaki Chepechcalm and other horned serpents of Native American lore.
*Jipijka'm and Weewillmekq':
    Stories about Mi'kmaq and Maliseet horned serpents.

Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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On the Trail of Elder Brother:
    Good book of traditional stories told by a Mi'kmaq author and illustrator.
Giants of the Dawnland:
    Another good collection of Wabanaki legends, told by a Penobscot Indian author.
Algonquian Spirit:
    Excellent anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Mi'kmaq and other Algonquian tribes.

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Additional Resources

 Mi'kmaq legends
 Mi'kmaq pronunciation
 Micmac Indians
 Nova Scotia Natives
 Eastern Woodlands Native American
 Algonkian languages



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