American Indian language * American Indian culture * What's new on our site today!

Native American Legends: Wemategunis (Wood Dwarf)

Name: Wemategunis
Tribal affiliation: Lenni Lenape, Munsee
Alternate spellings: Wematekan'is, We'matekanis, Way-mah-tah-kun-eese, Wèmahtèkënis, Wemahtekenis, Matekanis, Mate-kanis
Pronunciation: weh-mah-teh-guh-neese
Also known as: Manëtutëtak, Manetutetak, Wood Dwarves
Type: Dwarves, nature spirits
Related figures in other tribes: Mannegishi (Cree), Mikm (Wabanaki), Pukwudgie (Anishinabe)

 Wemategunis are little people like sprites or dwarves, said to be about as tall as a man's waist. They are mischievous but generally benevolent forest spirits, though they can be dangerous if they are disrespected. Wemategunis have immense strength for their size, and in some folklore, they have magical powers such as the ability to become invisible. They may help people who are kind to them or tolerate their tricks with good humor. In some legends the Wematekan'is even serve as messengers of the Great Spirit.

Wemategunis Stories

*Wematekan'is and the Hunter:
    Lenape folktale about a Wematekan'is playing a prank on a hunter.
*Che-py-yah-poo-thwah:
    Lenape legend about a reckless gambler given a second chance by a Wemategunis.

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 Little People.
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.
The Deetkatoo:
    Traditional tales about little people from the Lenape and other Native American tribes.

Sponsored Links

Additional Resources

 Lenape spirits
 Delaware words
 Delaware Indians
 Munsee Delaware
 Native Americans in New Jersey
 Eastern Woodland tribe
 Algonquian



Learn more about the Delaware Indians
Back to Native American mythological figures
Back to Native American myths and stories



American Indian artwork * Haida children * Cherokee Nation v. Georgia * Dreamcatcher art * 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