Legendary Native American Figures: Witiko (Wihtikow)
Name: Witiko Tribal affiliation:Cree, Atikamekw Alternate spellings: Wihtikiw, Wihtikow, Wihtiko, Wiihtiko, Wetiko, Uitiko, Wiitiko, Weetigo, Witiku, Witigo, Weetekow, Weeteego, Wee-tee-go,
Outikou, Outiko, Weediko, Wi'tiko, Weeghteko, Wehtigo, Wetigo, Wihtigo, Weh-ta-ko, Whit-Te-Co.
Witikowak is a plural form (also spelled wihtikowak or wihtikiwak.) Pronunciation: Varies by dialect: usually wih-tih-kew or wih-tih-koh. Type:Monster, ice cannibal Related figures in other tribes:Windigo (Anishinabe),
Kee-wakw (Abenaki),
Chenoo (Mi'kmaq)
Witiko are evil man-eating giants of Cree mythology. Witikos play the roles of monsters and
bogeymen in some legends; in others, Cree people who commit sins (especially selfishness,
gluttony, or cannibalism) are turned into a Witiko as punishment.
The appearance of a Witiko is huge, monstrous, and made of or coated in ice. In some Cree stories,
looking directly at a Witiko
will leave a person paralyzed and helpless against it. Witiko's heart is said to be made of ice, and the
monster can only be permanently killed if its heart is completely melted.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Orders of the Dreamed:
Interesting book on traditional Cree and Northern Ojibwa beliefs, including many narratives about the Wihtikow.
When the Chenoo Howls:
Eerie collection of Native American ghost stories and monster tales.
Algonquian Spirit:
Excellent anthology of Native American stories, songs, and oral history from the Ojibwe and other Algonquian tribes.
American Indian cultures
Witiko and the Little Person:
Contacts and FAQ page
