We show you the Canadian Mythology in detail and all its most important legends, travel with us in its amazing universe.
Canadian Mythology
Canadian mythology is a set of mythical beings and legends that have been passed down from generation to generation, and that even today are part of the culture and folklore of Canada.
Canada’s culture has been influenced from the time of its origin by the diversity of culture of all the countries that surround it. The culture of the United States, their proximity to the North Pole and European colonization have made their mythology a mixture of cultural beliefs in addition to their own.
In addition, with the presence of North American aboriginal tribes in its territory, especially the influence of the Inuit and Eskimo peoples, have made the myths and legends of Canadian mythology very real facts that have become the customs of its people.
Cosmology of Canadian Mythology
The aboriginal tribes belonging to the Canadian mythology have a cosmology based on nature, especially in winter. Among the most outstanding tribes are the Eskimos, the Inuit and the Micmac.
It is a custom in all the Canadian territory, and that is still conserved at the present time; to make songs, dances and ceremonies to the four cardinal points to give thanks to the sun. Their cosmology is strictly based on nature, how it affects man and how man affects it.
The topography and relief of the Canadian territories are an essential point of study in Canadian mythology. For their stories and histories are very specific with the geographical description of the landscapes; this makes it possible for the Aborigines to locate themselves in places where they have never been before.
Their beliefs are very strong in terms of a very powerful mythical force found in nature and therefore in all the elements that conform it; rivers, mountains, trees, etc.
Mystical beings belonging to the Canadian mythology
Adzeekh
This creature originates from the legends of the Kitimat tribe, belonging to the Canadian mythology. The Adzeekh is the representation of the lost souls of the deceased.
Without having an exact knowledge of why they can not follow their path, the souls are left wandering through places where they normally visited frequently while they were alive; their only goal is to take another soul with them so they do not make their journey alone.
Sasquatch
It is a mystical and mysterious creature that to this day many people claim to have seen, but there are no real scientific records to support its existence beyond a myth of Canadian culture.
In Canadian mythology the Sasquatch is also called “Bigfoot”, which means “big foot”. It is described as a creature of gigantic stature that exceeds two meters, with a body completely covered with hair, which gives it the appearance of a giant ape.
It walks upright, making it resemble a giant human being. Many times the Sasquatch is also related to creatures from other cultures such as the abominable Himalayan snowman; or as it is generally called “the yeti”.
Gaasyendietha
This mystical being comes from the Seneca tribe of Canada. It is a very powerful dragon that lived in all the great lakes and rivers of the Canadian territory; especially his favorite place was Lake Ontario.
The Gaasyendietha was also known as “the meteor dragon” in Canadian mythology. This was due to the strong Canadian belief that the dragon came from a large meteorite that fell to earth. For this reason Gaasyendietha had the ability to leave a trail of fire wherever he flew.
Chenoo
The Chenoo are creatures of the Iroquois people, who are stone giants. The Chenoo are clumsy and unable to handle weapons such as knives and bows with arrows. The way the Chenoo defend themselves is with trees that they pluck from the forests to use as bars.
Despite their great size and strength, these stone creatures are very harmless; they are even afraid of humans. Thanks to their solid stone structure, the chenoo can easily camouflage themselves in the forest if a human approaches them.
Ogopogo
The Ogopogo is a mystical creature that lives in Okanagan Lake, Canada. Although there are no scientific records of its existence, many people over the years claim to have seen only part of this creature in the waters of this lake.
They claim that it is a large creature, but that only some humps have been seen sticking out of the water where the Ogopogo is passing through. They liken it to a kind of giant snake. For this reason, they call it “Canada’s nessi”.
The Wendigo of Canadian Mythology
The Wendigo, one of the most famous mystical creatures of Canadian mythology, usually appears in the great lakes of Canada. It is a cannibalistic creature with a very fearsome aspect, with an appearance between a human and a ferocious beast.
The belief in the existence of the Wendigo is mainly from the people of Buffalo, Canada. Specifically from the tribes of the Ojibwe, the Saulteaux, the Cree, the Inuu and the Naskapi tribe.
In each of the tribes, they describe the Wendigo in different ways; however, they all share a common trait. That it is a ruthless carnivorous beast with spiritual powers. For this reason, it is directly related to famine, winter and everything related to the precarious conditions of the North American peoples.
Human Wendigos
The best known myth of Canadian mythology and with a strong belief in all its tribes; is that a human being can become a Wendigo. And at the very least, if a human being is not turned into a Wendigo, then he runs the risk of being possessed by his evil spirit.
Generally, this possession occurs in the dream world. When a person is possessed by a Wendigo, upon awakening he will be a totally different person. He will become very violent towards others and will have a loss obsession for cannibalism.
All those people who have lived through a survival situation during the winter or the time of famine, and this has forced them to resort to eating human flesh are the most exposed to the risk of being possessed by a Wendigo.
Wendigo Ceremony
This ceremony was performed during the time of famine by the tribes of the Canadian mythology, specifically the Cree, Assiniboine and Ojibwe tribes. It was a ceremonial dance performed to reinforce the beliefs of the Wendigos.
Also called “windigookaanzhimowin ceremony”; even today this ceremony is still practiced by the Canadian Aborigines. It is performed during the last day of the “sun dance” celebration. All participants wear masks and dance in the opposite direction to the rhythm of a drum.
Weakness of the Wendigo
In the Ojibwa tribe, there is a strong belief that the best way to eliminate a Wendigo is through the weasel. They believe that the Wendigo have a great weakness for these animals, which are also called “mustela nivalis”. These are introduced into the anus of the Wendigo, and cause its immediate death.
Baykok, from Canadian mythology
It is an evil spirit originating from the beliefs of the Ojibwa and Chippewa tribes. Baykok is always roaming the great lakes of Canada.
It flies around producing a bloodcurdling and thunderous scream that terrifies everyone who sees it, and its terrible skeletal appearance and red eyes make it even more frightening.
When you hear the creaking of its bones as it swims, you know that the Baykok is near; it usually attacks tribal warriors. Once the Baykok has selected its victim, it is impossible for it to escape. After killing its victim, the evil spirit devours its liver.
History of Baykok
The Baykok, before being a wandering spirit was a human being. He was a great hunter with very high self-esteem. In one of his hunting days, he became obsessed with a prey that led him to distance himself from his tribe for a long time.
He traveled so far that he reached a point where he was totally lost in the forest; he also lost track of his prey. He had no reason to go on, and no hope of returning.
Then Baykok became so angry that he summoned the evil souls of the forest, about to die, to ask them that his body would not remain in the woods lost. As time passed, Baykok’s body decayed and the people of his tribe left him for dead and forgot him.
With all this, his anger grew much more and his spirit took possession of his already decomposed body; and he went out in search of the livers of all those people who forgot him for eternity.
Those persecuted by Baykok
All those people who go solitary in the forests, which are near the great lakes of Canada, are the main victims pursued by the Baykok. However, this evil being mainly pursues hunters because he was one in his past life and blames them for not having come to his rescue.
Myths and Legends of Canadian Mythology
The forbidden plateau
In the western part of Canada, there is a plateau full of mysteries that the Canadian aborigines have mentioned in their mystical stories. During the time of the wars, this plateau was used by the tribes to hide their relatives and keep them safe.
However, one day all those hidden in the forest simply disappeared. At the end of the war, all the warriors searched tirelessly throughout the forest; finding only a trail of blood in the snow.
With this evidence, the aborigines assumed that the evil spirits of the forest devoured their relatives. For this reason they forbade all their descendants to go to this plateau. Even today, there is a belief that if they enter the forbidden plateau the evil spirits will devour them.
St. Louis Ghost Train
In the town of Saskatchewan, Canada. There is an abandoned train track, about which there are stories full of mysteries. Most of the inhabitants claim to have seen a couple of lights passing over the train tracks. Thus giving life to the legend of the St. Louis ghost train.
The legend of John Troyer
This is the story of a Canadian exorcist named John Troyer. He discovered what his skills as an exorcist were after moving with his Amish family to Canada. According to Canadian beliefs, it is said that he dedicated his whole life to hunt witches; and he even found out where their lair was in Canada.
He became famous for setting traps similar to those used against bears, but sized for even human beings. It is said that they were aimed at witches. Even today, John Troyer is recognized in Canadian folklore stories.
Young Teazer
This is the Canadian pirate ship Young Teazer, which was lost at the bottom of the sea in Nova Scotia territory. It is believed that on nights when the fog takes over the sea, this ghost ship comes to the surface full of fire; along with its lost crew.
The legend of Rose Latulippe
This is one of the stories of Canadian mythology, as a warning to young people not to talk to strangers.
The story goes that Rose was a beautiful young woman, who at a gala party was dancing with a very handsome young man, but a stranger to her throughout the evening. At the moment of finishing, the young man revealed to her that his true identity was “Satan”.
The young woman was so shocked that she did not give him a chance to flee, so Satan took her with him to hell. Since then Rose Latulippe has never been heard from again and is believed to still be in hell with Satan.
The spirit of the Bear
At the origin of the creation of the world, the whole earth was frozen and everything that existed was white. After a while, the god Raven decided that it was time to give the world some color.
So when the land began to thaw and turn green, the humans began a fight for the new land.
As the years passed, the war did not cease; then the Raven god took every tenth bear and turned it white, and in this way reminded the humans of the time when everything was white and that they should be thankful for the change that was now taking place.
The legend of Nanaboozhoo and the Thunderbird
One ordinary day, Nanaboozhoo decided to climb to the top of the mountains to reach the nest of the “fire birds”. This with the intention, to get the feathers of the firebirds to make very powerful arrows for his personal use.
The firebirds, upon seeing this action, suffered uncontrollable rage for their offspring; launching on Nanaboozhoo a barrage of thunder and fire against him to cause a tragic death.
Fort Garry Hotel
This hotel was built over a hundred years ago, and represents the culture and architecture of Canadian mythology to the world. Its main objective was to become a luxury hotel that provides quality rest to Canadian visitors.
However, as time went by, the Fort Garry Hotel became known as a “haunted hotel”, although the reasons for this myth are unknown. Even today, there are many curious visitors who wish to verify the truth behind the great mystery of the ghosts of the great Canadian hotel.
Conclusion
Canadian mythology is characterized by being full of mystical creatures directly related to winter, thanks to its climate and proximity to the North Pole.
Besides, the fact of being one of the countries in the world with more dinosaur fossil remains, makes Canada one of the most mystical cultures on the planet. This makes their myths and legends, have a very extensive base of their stories.
Many of their beliefs are closely related to the mythology of the United States. As well as many of its creatures and mythological beings by the influence of cultural exchange between the North American aboriginal tribes.
