Maliseet Legends


Maliseet Legends, Myths, and Folklore 

Characters found in Maliseet Folklore

Glooscap: The creator god of the Maliseet people. He is often seen as a benevolent figure, and he is sometimes prayed to for good weather and bountiful harvests.

Gluskabis: The trickster god of the Maliseet people. He is often portrayed as being mischievous and cunning, but he can also be helpful and wise.

The Sun is a powerful being who is often seen as a Creator God. He is also seen as a benevolent force, and he is sometimes prayed to for good weather and bountiful harvests.

The Moon is a powerful being who is often seen as a symbol of mystery and magic. She is also seen as a benevolent force, and she is sometimes prayed to for good health and fertility.

The Stars are often seen as a symbol of guidance and hope. They are also seen as messengers from the gods, and they can be used to guide humans on their journey through life.

The Four Winds are powerful beings who control the weather. They are often seen as benevolent forces, but they can also be destructive.

The Buffalo is a sacred animal to the Maliseet people. They are seen as a symbol of strength, power, and abundance.

The Bear is a powerful animal that is often seen as a symbol of strength and power. In Maliseet legends, Bear is often a dangerous creature, but he can also be a helpful ally.

The Snake is a mysterious creature that is often seen as a symbol of danger and death. In Maliseet legends, Snake is often a trickster figure, and he can be both helpful and harmful.

Here is a list of a few traditional Maliseet oral story titles:

  • Glooscap Creates the World
  • The First People
  • The Coming of the White Man
  • The Battle of the Gods
  • Glooscap’s Adventures
  • Gluskabis’s Mischief
  • The Sun and the Moon
  • The Stars
  • The Four Winds
  • The Buffalo Hunt
  • The Bear and the Hunter
  • The Snake and the Frog
  • Coyote’s Trickery
  • Eagle’s Rescue
  • Water Monster
  • Thunderbird
  • The Afterlife
 

Article Index:

How Gluskabe Stole Tobacco

How Gluskabe Stole Tobacco

Long ago,Gluskabe and his Grandmother Woodchuck, lived alone in a small lodge near the water. One day his Grandmother said to him, “My Grandchild, it is sad that we have no tobacco.” “What is tobacco, Grandmother?” Gluskabe asked.

“Ah, Grandson, tobacco is a great gift from Tabaldak, our Maker. If you are sick, you need only to take tobacco out in the woods, and you will find the medicine plants. Then, when you place some tobacco on the Earth, you can pluck those plants from the Earth and use them.

Tobacco is a great comfort to the old. They can smoke it in their pipes and see all the happy days of their lives in the smoke as it lifts up. When you pray and burn tobacco, that smoke carries your prayer straight up to our Maker. Tobacco is a very good thing indeed, when it is used as Tabaldak intended.”