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Native American Legends: Wiklatmu'j (or Pukulatmuj)
Name: Wiklatmu'j
Tribal affiliation: Mí'kmaq
Alternate spellings: Wiklatmuj, Wiklatmúj, Wiglatmuj, Wiguladumuch, Wigela'demutc. The plural form is Wiklatmu'jk (Wiguladumuchuk, Wiggulladun-Moochik, etc.)
Also known as: Pukulatmuj, Pukulatamuj, Pugulatamutc, Pukelatemu'jk, Pukalutumush, Stone People, Stone Dwarves
Pronunciation: wick-uh-lah-tuh-mooch or pook-oo-lah-tuh-mooch
Type: Dwarves,
nature spirits
Related figures in other tribes: Oonahgemessuk (Abenaki),
Memegweshi (Ojibway)
Wiklatmu'j are small Mi'kmaq rock spirits
(sometimes called Stone Dwarves or Stone Indians in English) who live in mountain caves or rocky places
in the woods. Wiklatmu'j have formidable magical powers but are benign creatures who do not generally harm
humans, though they are fond of playing harmless but annoying tricks on people (such as tying knots in their
hair or putting their clothes on backwards) and may destroy the property of disrespectful people or curse
them with bad luck.
Wiklatmuj Stories
Wiklatmu'j:
Online picture book for kids, in English and Mi'kmaq, about the Wiklatmu'jk.
Mi'kmaq Culture:
Articles about traditional lifestyle by a Mi'kmaq historian. The last article on the page, titled
"Wiklatmu'j - Stone People," discusses the role of little people in Mi'kmaq Indian folklore.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
On the Trail of Elder Brother:
Good book of traditional stories told by a Mi'kmaq author and illustrator.
Giants of the Dawnland:
Another good collection of Wabanaki Indian legends, told by a Penobscot Indian author.
Algonquian Spirit:
Excellent anthology of Native American stories, songs, and oral history from the Mi'kmaq and other Algonquian tribes.
The Deetkatoo:
Traditional tales about little people from 14 different Native American tribes.
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Additional Resources
Mikmaq creation story
Micmac Native American
Mi'kmaq pronunciation
Languages in Nova Scotia
Eastern Woodland American Indian
Algonquian
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