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Native American Legends: Makiawisug

Name: Makiawisug
Tribal affiliation: Mohegan, Pequot
Alternate spellings: Makiawisag, Makia'wisag, Makiaweesug, Muhkeahweesug, Meukyaweesug. These are plural nouns referring to the race of little people; singular forms referring to one such creature are Makiawis, Ma'kawis, Makkis, Makki's, M8k8wis.
Pronunciation: varies by dialect, but usually muh-kee-ah-wee-sug.
Type: Indian little people, forest spirits
Related figures in other tribes: Memegwesi (Anishinabe), Mikm (Wabanaki), Pukwudgie (Algonquian)

 Makiawisug are the Little People of the Mohegan and Pequot tribes. They can be dangerous if they are disrespected but are generally benevolent nature spirits. Makiawisug are usually described as knee-height (around two feet tall.) The name Makiawisug derives from the Mohegan-Pequot word for the whippoorwill bird, with which they are associated. Makiawisug are said to carve symbols on rocks and have magical powers including the ability to make themselves invisible. The leader of the Makiawisug, Granny Squant, is a powerful magician married to the culture hero Maushop.

Makiawisug Stories

*The Little People or Makiaweesug * Makiawisug, the Little People:
    Stories about a Mohegan woman who was rewarded for helping one of the Makiaweesug.

Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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Makiawisug: The Gift of the Little People:
    Illustrated children's book telling a traditional story about the Makiawisug.
Spirit of the New England Tribes:
    Collection of Wampanoag, Narragansett, and Mohegan legends and traditional stories, including a chapter on the Little People.
Algonquian Spirit:
    Excellent anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Algonquian tribes.
The Deetkatoo:
    Traditional tales about little people from 14 different Native American tribes.

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Additional Resources

 Pequot legends
 Mohegan Indians
 Pequot Indians
 Connecticut language
 Eastern Woodland Indians
 Algonkian



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