Name: Raweno Tribal affiliation:Mohawk, Huron, Iroquois Alternate spellings: Rawenniyo, Raweni'yo, Raweni:yo, Raweniio, Ha-Wen-Neyu Pronunciation: lah-wun-nee-yoh, rah-wun-nee-yoh, or lah-wen-nee-yoh, depending on dialect. The Anglicized form is usually pronounced rah-wen-noh. Also known as: Shonkwaya'tihson/Shonkwaia'tishon, Taronhiawagon, Everything-Maker, Creator, Great Spirit Type:High god, Creator Related figures in other tribes:Tabaldak (Abenaki),
Gitchie Manitou (Ojibway),
Kishelemukong (Lenape)
Raweno is the great creator god of the Mohawk and Huron tribes. The name "Raweno" comes from a word meaning "good ruler" in Mohawk.
Sometimes Raweno is also referred to as Shonkwaya'tihson, which means "the one who made us," or
Taronhiawagon, which means "he holds up the heavens." In more modern times, the English phrase
Great Spirit (a literal translation
of the name for the Creator god in the neighboring Algonquian tribes) has also become more popular.
In any case, Raweno is always portrayed as a just, benevolent caretaker and teacher of the Iroquois people.
"Raweno" (or one of its many variant spellings) was used as a translation for "God" in early translations of the Bible into the
Iroquois languages, and most Iroquois people today consider the Creator and the Christian God to be one and the same.
American Indian culture
Why the Owl has Big Eyes:
Contacts and FAQ page
