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Native American Legends: The Thunders

Name: Thunders
Tribal affiliation: Iroquois Indians, Wyandot
Also Known As: Thunderers, Thunder Beings, Thunder Men, Onditachiae, Ondiaachiae, Hadiwennodagyes, Hadiwennoda:dye's, Plétho, Pletho
Type: Nature spirit, thunder, lightning
Related figures in other tribes: Thunderbirds, Animikii, Wakinyan, Binesi

The Thunders are a clan of powerful storm spirits who live in the sky and cause thunder and lightning. They are usually described as winged men, although in some accounts they have the heads of turkeys and in others they shapeshift back and forth between human form and giant birds. Although they are dangerous beings and their gaze can bring death to mortal men, the Thunders usually play a positive role in Iroquois legends and spirituality and are typically portrayed as honorable and fair. In some Iroquois legends, the leader of the Thunders is a divine being named Hinon.

Stories about the Thunders

*The Four Thunders:
    Story of a mistreated teenager who became a Thunder's wife.
*The Thunder Boy:
    The story of a Thunder's son.
*Onditichiae:
    Huron and Tobacco Indian myths about the Thunders.

Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links

Skywoman: Legends of the Iroquois:
    Wonderful illustrated collection of Iroquois Indian legends, by Oneida and Mohawk authors.
Legends of the Iroquois:
    Legends and traditional stories told by a Mohawk elder.
Legends, Traditions and Laws of the Iroquois or Six Nations:
    Collection of Iroquois legends and oral history told by a Tuscarora chief.
Iroquois Indian Myths And Legends:
    Traditional stories from the Iroquois tribes.

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Additional Resources

 Iroquois myths and legends
 Iroquois Indians
 Mohawk Indian tribe
 Oneida Indians
 Wyandot Indians
 Map of New York
 Eastern Woodlands Indian



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