Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 25: This Is How Wenabozho Walked the Land
- zhaawano
- May 1
- 3 min read
Updated: May 2
Iskigamizige-giizis (Boiling Sap Moon) - May 1, 2025
Since Wenabozho originated from the Morning Star, it's easy to envision him entering aki (the earth) through the eastern door. As it was dawn when Wenabozho passed through, he remarked, "gashkii giizhigad: 'day is enclosing the sky.'" This was his way of saying, "the sky is becoming light." Later, as darkness descended and a full moon rose, Wenabozho observed a hard crust on the snow. "Onaabanad," he noted, "there is crusty snow. I will name this moon Onaabani-giizis: 'Crusty Snow Moon' (March)." When the sky brightened again, he declared, "Waabanong will be the name for the East: 'Where it is dawn.' Waabanong is the home of the spirit of spring, who, as soon as the earth awakens, the snow crusts, and the ice on lakes and rivers thaws, spreads the first warm weather over the land, rivers, and lakes. 'Waaban' and 'Ziigwan' are related spirits symbolizing youth and creation; where the first initiates each new day, the second holds the power of a seed, initiating full cycles of life from birth to death and rebirth. 'Ziigwan' will be the name of this mighty spirit residing in the East, 'The One That Is Pouring.'"
Thus, Ziigwan, 'The One That Is Pouring,' was the initial manidoo he positioned in the cardinal directions.
Following the sun's path, Wenabozho reached a warm area filled with flowers and birds singing. The sun was high in the blue sky, directly above. "This place, which I will call 'Zhaawanong' or 'In the South,' is where the spirit of summer resides," Wenabozho declared, "and the spirit's name, symbolizing mid-day and youth maturing, will be 'niibin': 'The One That Is Summer.'" As night descended over Zhaawanong, a full moon rose, casting her silver glow over a vast prairie of blooming flowers. Wenabozho remarked: "Seeing flowers as far as the eye can reach, I will name this moon Waabigonii-giizis: 'It Is Blooming Moon.'"
Thus, Niibin, "The One That Is Summer," was the second manidoo he positioned in the cardinal directions.
The following morning, Wenabozho resumed his journey. He traveled in the direction of the Sun's path across the southern sky, crossing numerous mountains. As he went, a full moon appeared, and he observed the leaves of the trees changing color. He remarked: "'waatebagaa': 'there are bright leaves. Waatebagaawi giizis will I call this moon (September)." Eventually, he arrived at a vast sea, and standing on the shore, he watched as the yellow sun transformed into a fiery ball, slowly sinking beyond the horizon. "This location, which I will call 'Bangishimog,' or 'Toward The One Who Sets,' is where the spirit of autumn resides," he stated, "and the name of this spirit, symbolizing the end of the day and the final stage of all life, will be 'Binaakwii': The One That Has Its Leaves Fall.'"
Thus, Binaakwii, "The One That Has Its Leaves Fall," was the third manidoo positioned in the cardinal directions.
As soon as the sun rose in the East, Wenabozho resumed his journey. After walking for many days, he reached a cold region where the plants were dormant, and the spirits were hungry. "Hoowah," he thought, "Nigiiwe, 'I am coming home.'" This was his way of expressing that his mission of placing and naming everything in Creation was complete. Realizing his feet were cold, he exclaimed: "Tayaa! Mishkwaakwadin! (Oh boy! It is freezing all the way through to the ground!)" As darkness fell and a full moon appeared, Wenabozho, still shivering, declared, "I will name this moon 'Baashkaakodin-Giizis': It Is Freezing Moon (November). This is where biboon, the spirit of winter, resides. I wish for the great ice sheets covering this land to return to their original home. I will name this direction, which symbolizes remembrance, purification, and wisdom, Giiwedinong, 'Place of the Returning Home Wind'"
Thus, Giiwedin, "The Wind That Returns Home," was the fourth manidoo that Wenabozho positioned in the cardinal directions...
And so, in a sacred manner, Wenabozho journeyed across the land, giving names to the four spirits and the four moons that govern our lives. This marked the beginning of our beautiful language and the way we once understood the world.
Wenabozho puffed on his opwaagan (pipe) and observed that everything was well.
Illustration: Wenabozho Goshkozi ("Wenabozho Awakens") Ⓒ2023 - 2025 Zhaawano Giizhik
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