Reading Notes: Native American Stories; Hiawatha, Part A

A depiction of the title character of the story of Hiawatha

The reading begins talking about Mudjekeewis, who is Hiawatha's father and a demigod in his own right. Mudjekeewis engages in a tough battle with Mishe-Mokwa, who is the Great Bear of the Mountains. After defeating and killing Mishe-Mokwa, Mudjekeewis becomes the Father of the Four Winds in his own right. His son, who is named Wabun and also the great East Wind, later falls in love with a maiden, whom he turns into the Morning Star, also known as Wabun-Annung. The North Wind, Kabibonokka, later attacks Shingebis, "the diver." Shingebis repels the North Wind by burning firewood and then wrestling and defeating him. Lastly, the South Wind, Shawondasee, falls in love with a dandelion, mistaking it for a golden-haired maiden. The reading goes on to describe Hiawatha's birth and early childhood, including the tales of adventuring, especially fishing, in which Hiawatha slays the ancient water God Mishe-Nahma, the king of all fishes. The story also covers Hiawatha's fasting and relationship with his demigod and Father of the Four Winds, Mudjekeewis, who is a distant and irresponsible parent to Hiawatha.

Bibliography: The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Published in 1855. http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/myth-folklore-unit-song-of-hiawatha.html