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Native American Legends: Ableegumooch
Name: Ableegumooch
Tribal affiliation: Mi'kmaq,
Penobscot
Alternate spellings: Aplíkmuj, Aplikmuj, Apli'kmuj
Pronunciation: ah-blee-guh-mooch
Also known as: Rabbit
Type: Trickster,
rabbit spirit
Related figures in other tribes: Mahtigwess (Passamaquoddy)
Ableegumooch is a light-hearted trickster animal of Mi'kmaq folktales. He usually appears in the literal form
of a rabbit and spends his time tricking, robbing, and deceiving the other animals of the forest, especially his
trickster rival Keoonik.
Like modern cartoon characters, Ableegumooch and Keoonik sometimes kill themselves or each other with
their tricks and then
randomly return to life. Ableegumooch is the main character of many stories aimed at children.
He often behaves foolishly or causes trouble for others, but unlike animal tricksters in some other tribes, is
not dangerous or malevolent, and is often said to be a friend of
Glooskap. Ableegumooch and Keoonik are
popular characters with storytellers and stories about the two of them have also been borrowed into the folklore
of neighboring tribes such as the Maliseet and Penobscot.
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Ableegumooch Stories
The Lazy Rabbit 
Rabbit and Otter:
Ableegumooch unsuccessfully tries to get food by imitating other animals.
Ableegumooch Calls a Truce:
A story in which Ableegumooch and Keoonik team up to save the Penobscots from starvation.
How Rabbit Got Long Ears:
Ableegumooch plays a trick on the other animals in this Mi'kmaq folktale, but he can't fool Glooscap.
How the Rabbit Lost His Tail:
In this story, Ableegumooch gets his strange appearance by helping a friend win a wife.
Run, Rabbit, Run:
Mi'kmaq story about Ableegumooch outwitting a wildcat.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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On the Trail of Elder Brother:
Excellent book of traditional stories told by a Mi'kmaq author and illustrator.
Giants of the Dawnland:
Another good collection of Wabanaki legends told by a Penobscot Indian author.
Algonquian Spirit:
Rich anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Mi'kmaq and other Algonquian tribes.
Native American Animal Stories:
Engaging collection of American Indian tales about animals, told by Abenaki storyteller Joseph Bruchac.
Additional Resources
Mi'kmaq stories
Mikmaq language
Micmac Indians
Penobscot Indians
Nova Scotia languages
Northeast Native American tribes
Algonquians
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