American Indian language
American Indian culture
Indian heritage
Native American Legends: Maxa'xâk
Name: Maxa'xâk
Tribal affiliation: Lenape
Alternate spellings: Mëxaxkuk, Maxaxak, Maxa'xak, W'axkook
Pronunciation: muh-khakh-kook
Also known as: Great Serpent
Type: Lake monsters,
serpents
Related figures in other tribes: Mishi-Ginebig (Anishinabe),
Unktehila (Sioux),
Apotamkin (Maliseet)
Maxa'xâk is an underwater horned serpent,
common to the legends of most Algonquian tribes. It is said to lurk in lakes and eat
humans. Its name literally means "great snake" in the Lenape language.
Maxa'xâk Stories
Grandfather Thunder:
Lenape myth about the Thunder People protecting the Earth from Maxa'xâk.
The Lenapé Beginning:
Maxa'xâk's role in the Lenape creation myth.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
Mythology of the Lenape:
Book of Lenape legends and traditional stories including some about the Great Serpent.
Legends of the Delawares:
Collection of Delaware Indian folktales including four in Lenape (with English translation.)
The White Deer:
Collection of Lenape and Munsee Delaware folktales.
Algonquian Spirit:
Excellent anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Lenape and other Algonquian tribes.
Sponsored Links
Additional Resources
Lenape stories
Lenape language
Lenape pronunciation
Delaware words
New Jersey Native Americans
Woodlands culture group
Algonquian language words
Back to American Indian mythological figures
Back to American Indian myths and stories
Learn more about the Lenape Indians
American Indian art
Winnebago website
Indian moccasins for sale
Herbs Indian
Native tattoos
Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?
Native Languages of the Americas website © 1998-2020 
Contacts and FAQ page