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Native American Legends: Tolba (Dolba, Doleba)
Name: Tolba
Tribal affiliation: Abénaki
Alternate spellings: Doleba, Dolba, Tôlba, Tôba
Pronunciation: tawl-buh
Also known as: Plawinno (one who waits)
Type: Turtle
Tolba the turtle is one of the main characters of Abenaki creation mythology.
Tolba and Moskwas the muskrat were the two animals responsible for the creation of the earth,
as Moskwas successfully dived to the bottom of the ocean to bring up mud and Tolba volunteered
to carry the new land on his back. This myth is not told in the other Wabanaki tribes and may have been
borrowed from neighboring cultures where it is more common, such as the Ojibwe or Iroquois tribes.
Tolba Stories
Abenaki Creation Story:
Abenaki Indian stories about the earth being placed on the back of Tôba.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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Giants of the Dawnland:
Good collection of Wabanaki Indian legends told by a Penobscot author.
Seven Eyes, Seven Legs:
Another good book of Native American myths and folktales, told and illustrated by an Abenaki author.
A World of Turtles:
Collection of turtle folklore from all over the world, including an Abenaki creation story.
Turtle Island: Tales of the Algonquian Nations:
Anthology of legends from the Penobscot and other Algonquian tribes.
Native American Animal Stories:
Engaging collection of American Indian tales about animals, told by Abenaki storyteller Joseph Bruchac.
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Additional Resources
Wabanaki mythology
Abenaki creation story
Abenaki Native American
Vermont tribes
Native Americans Eastern Woodlands
Algonquian definition
Back to Abenaki mythology
Back to Native American folktales
Learn more about the Abnaki tribe
Indian genealogy
Croatan Roanoke
Cherokee American Indians
Native American dreamcatcher
Turquoise Indian jewelry
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