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

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