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This is our collection of links to Mohegan and Pequot stories and folktales that can be read online. We have indexed our Native American legends 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 Mohegans, the traditional stories of related tribes like the Wampanoag and Algonquin tribes are very similar.
Konchi Manto:
This means "Great Spirit" in the Mohegan-Pequot language, and is the Mohegan name for
the Creator (God.) In most contexts just Manto (the Spirit) is used. Konchi Manto is a divine spirit with no human form or attributes
(including gender) and is never personified in Pequot or Mohegan folklore. The name is pronounced
similar to kawn-chee mun-doh.
Maushop (also spelled Moshup and other ways.)
Maushop is a giant who is the culture hero of the Mohegan, Pequot, and Wampanoag tribes (sometimes referred to as a "transformer" by folklorists.)
His name is pronounced moh-shup or maw-shup.
Moshup shares some similarities with other Algonquian heroes such as the Wabanaki
Gluskabe and the
Ojibwe Nanaboozhoo.
Squant (also spelled Squannit and other ways.)
Moshup's wife. According to most Mohegan Indian legends, she is a Little Person (often the leader or medicine woman
of the Little People) and has great magical powers.
Makiawisug (also spelled Makiaweesug and other ways.)
These are the Little People of the Pequot and Mohegan tribes. They can be dangerous if they are disrespected but are generally
benevolent nature spirits.
Hobomock
(also spelled Hobbamock or other ways):
The manito (spirit) of death. A destructive, often evil being usually in opposition to
Cautantowwit. After the introduction of Christianity, Mohegan people
frequently identified Hobbomock with the Devil. He was also sometimes known as
Chepi, Chipi or Cheepie, meaning "ghost."
Chahnameed (also called Big Eater.)
Chahnameed is a trickster character who lies, cheats, is greedy, and basically acts completely
inappropriately by Mohegan-Pequot standards-- often in the most amusing possible way.
Pequot and Mohegan stories about Chahnameed are usually humorous in nature.
Brothertown Oral Tradition:
Moshup the Giant
Moshup
Maushop and the Circle of Life:
The Little People or Makiaweesug
Makiawisug, the Little People:
The Story of Chahnameed's Wife
Big Eater's Wife:
Chahnameed Squeezes the Stone
Chahnameed the Glutton Wins the Eating Match:
Spirit of the New England Tribes:
Makiawisug:
Turtle Island: Tales of the Algonquian Nations:
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