Michabo is the Great Hare, the grandson of the Moon and son of the West Wind. His mother died in childbirth but he was not fostered, because he was born fully developed and with all knowledge (compare: Quetzalcoatl).

The Algonquians believe that they were made by Michabo, who also made the earth, invented fishing nets, water, fish and deer. He lives where the sun rises, and the souls of good Indians go to live with Michabo. According to the Algonquians, there was once a great flood which covered the earth: "Michabo told the Raven to bring him a lump of clay to remake the world, but the raven couldn't find any. Michabo then sent an Otter, which dived but brought nothing back. At last, Michabo sent a Musk-rat who returned with some soil which Michabo used to remake the earth and he married Musk-mouse by whom he had children to re-people the earth."

References

"Baltimore City Community College: Humanities 207 Text: A Guide to Understanding Myths of Creation and Scientific Theory: Chapter III: Creation by an Emergent Being: North American Indians" [Most of the above entry is taken from this source.] Available at: http://www.erols.com/bcccsbs/c3emerge.htm

Indexes

Mythological, Traditional and Divine Figures
Native American and Alaskan Native, Inuit
America
Birth or Infancy
Street Children, Children Who Grew up Without Adult Supervision (at Least Temporarily), or Ran Away
Parent(s) Died, Disappeared or Became Incapacitated