DIBAAJIMOWIN
  • Home
  • Dibaajimowin Blog
  • The People
  • Michif Language
  • Ojibwe Language
  • Books
  • Colorized Photos
  • GIS Mapping
    • Metis Community Map
    • US & Canadian Reservations
  • Blog Archives
    • Tawn Kaayaash
    • Metis Stories
    • Women's Stories
    • Elder Stories
    • Family Stories
    • School Stories
    • Love Stories
    • Legend Stories
  • Virtual Library

Legend Stories

The Windigo Game: Hide and Seek with a "monstrous" Twist

4/13/2018

0 Comments

 

Traditional Ojibwe CHildren's Game

The Windigo Game or “cannibal game” was the most exciting game played by Ojibwe children.
 
This name implies all that is fear compelling, as the windigo were said to be terrible beings who were cannibals. If a stranger came to a lonely wigwam he was closely watched as he “might be a windigo,” and if he stayed all night someone sat up and watched him constantly. The children absorbed the idea and made it into a game.
 
Here’s how it was played: One child was chosen by drawing lots (or guessing numbers) to play the part of the windigo. Four sticks were prepared, one longer than the others. These were held in the hand with the tops even and offered for choice among the older children, the one who drew the longest stick acting the part of the windigo. If the child could, they would wear a mask, or would otherwise alter themselves (make faces, etc.) to give themselves a monstrous appearance.
Picture
Windigo Mask
The windigo would hide in a clump of bushes or somewhere else. The other children then formed in a long line, each holding the belt of the child in front of them.  A large child was chosen to lead the others and he carried a club.  
 
When they came near the windigo's hiding place the child playing windigo would rush out with fearful yells and wave their arms. The leader would have to play fight with them, and the younger children would be scared and scream to each other. Sometimes the windigo child would seize a child and pretended to eat it.
 
This game was a favorite among the children.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    A collaborative effort of members of the Ojibwe and Metis communities

    Archives

    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

About Dibaajimowin

Dibaajimowin was created as a way to share interesting and unique stories and other information about the Metis and Ojibwe people (and others) so that these can be used by our guests to educate themselves and others about the history, culture, and language of the people.

We hope you enjoy everything you find here and are glad to have you return in the future. If you are interested in using our content for educational or personal purposes, please give proper attribution and credit to our page. It is important that we acknowledge the tellers of stories and the creators of intellectual property in all forms.

​Please enjoy! See you soon.

Contact Us

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
  • Home
  • Dibaajimowin Blog
  • The People
  • Michif Language
  • Ojibwe Language
  • Books
  • Colorized Photos
  • GIS Mapping
    • Metis Community Map
    • US & Canadian Reservations
  • Blog Archives
    • Tawn Kaayaash
    • Metis Stories
    • Women's Stories
    • Elder Stories
    • Family Stories
    • School Stories
    • Love Stories
    • Legend Stories
  • Virtual Library