Lenape mythology
Encyclopedia
Lenape
mythology
is based on polytheism
.
Kishelemukong is the creator god
, not involved in the daily affairs of the Lenape. Instead, he directed the manitowak, the life-spirits of all living things, which were created by Kishelemukong. The manitowak were venerated in ceremonies, rituals, dreams, visions, games and ohta
s (see below), as well as through the interventions of the Metinuwak, the shamans who were healers, spiritual and emotional guides, and religious leaders; they could communicate with the manitowak.
An ohta
is a wooden doll carved annually and that were said to have remarkable powers of healing and luck.
A nianque is an animal guide, such as in a vision quest
.
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
mythology
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
is based on polytheism
Polytheism
Polytheism is the belief of multiple deities also usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own mythologies and rituals....
.
Kishelemukong is the creator god
Creator deity
A creator deity is a deity responsible for the creation of the world . In monotheism, the single God is often also the creator deity, while polytheistic traditions may or may not have creator deities...
, not involved in the daily affairs of the Lenape. Instead, he directed the manitowak, the life-spirits of all living things, which were created by Kishelemukong. The manitowak were venerated in ceremonies, rituals, dreams, visions, games and ohta
Ohta
-People:*Fusae Ohta, Japanese politician*Herb Ohta, Hawaiian ukulele player* Hikari Ōta, manzai comedian*Hiromi Ōta, Japanese female singer who is considered an idol in Japan during the 1970s*Keibun Ōta, Japanese painter and illustrator...
s (see below), as well as through the interventions of the Metinuwak, the shamans who were healers, spiritual and emotional guides, and religious leaders; they could communicate with the manitowak.
An ohta
Ohta
-People:*Fusae Ohta, Japanese politician*Herb Ohta, Hawaiian ukulele player* Hikari Ōta, manzai comedian*Hiromi Ōta, Japanese female singer who is considered an idol in Japan during the 1970s*Keibun Ōta, Japanese painter and illustrator...
is a wooden doll carved annually and that were said to have remarkable powers of healing and luck.
A nianque is an animal guide, such as in a vision quest
Vision quest
A vision quest is a rite of passage in some Native American cultures.In many Native American groups, the vision quest is a turning point in life taken before puberty to find oneself and the intended spiritual and life direction. When an older child is ready, he or she will go on a personal,...
.