Everything about Manitou totally explained
Manitou is a term used to designate the spirits among many
Algonquian groups. It refers to the concept of one aspect of the interconnection and balance of nature/life, similar to the East Asian concept of
qi; in simpler terms it can refer to a
spirit. This spirit is seen as a (contactable) person as well as a concept. Everything has its own manitou—every plant, every stone and even machines. In the
shamanistic traditions the manitous (or
manidoog or
manidoowag) are connected to achieve a desired effect, like plant manitous for healing or the buffalo manitou for a good hunt. In the
Anishinaabeg tradition
manidoowag are one aspect of the Great Connection. Related terms used by the Anishinaabeg are
manidoowish for small animal
manidoowag and
manidoons for insects; both terms mean "little spirit".
These Manitous don't exist in a hierarchy like European gods/goddesses, but are more akin to one part of the body interacting with another and the spirit of everything.
The name of the
Canadian Province of
Manitoba is etymologically related to the word "manitou", and likely meant something like "narrows of the Manitou" or "strait of the Manitou" in
Cree or
Ojibwe. Also
Manitoulin Island means "spirit island".
Popular culture
In the first season
X-Files episode '
Shapes,'
Mulder and
Scully find themselves investigating a case involving a creature identified as a manitou. The episode erroneously portrays the manitou in a destructive and negative manner, similar in nature to a
wendigo,
werewolf or
skin-walker.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Manitou'.
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