Legendary Native American Figures: Squannit (Squant)
Name: Squannit Tribal affiliation:Wampanoag, Mohegan, Pequot Alternate spellings: Squant, Squaunt, Squanet, Granny Squannit, Granny Squant, Tooquahmi Squannit, Squauanit, Squaunit, Saconet, Old Squant Pronunciation: skwah-nut Type:Little person, wise woman, grandmother, witch Related figures in other tribes:Mikumwesu (Maliseet), Nokomis (Anishinabe)
In some Algonquian legends of Massachusetts and Connecticut, Squannit is the wife of the culture hero
Moshup. Though Moshup is usually portrayed as a giant,
Squannit is considered one of the Little People (makiawisug.)
Stories about Squannit vary widely from community to community, but she usually has magical powers and is often associated with the sea
and with storms-- according to some legends, severe storms are caused by Squannit's arguments with her husband.
Squannit is typically described as a tiny woman no more than two or three feet tall, with long hair and small feet;
her footprints are often confused for a rabbit's. She is usually portrayed as an old woman, and is affectionately
called Granny Squannit or Old Squant by many storytellers.
Spirit of the New England Tribes:
Collection of Wampanoag, Narragansett, and Mohegan legends and traditional stories, including several about Maushop and Squant.
Algonquian Spirit:
Excellent anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Algonquian tribes.
Native American cultures
Squant, the Sea Monster:
Contacts and FAQ page
