Malsumis

Malsumis (sometimes Malsum or Malsom) is the highly malevolent spirit or god of chaos and thorns in Abenaki mythology, an Algonquian people of northeastern North America.[1]

Mythology

According to legend, after Tabaldak created humans, the dust from his hand created Gluskab and some versions say that he also created Gluskab's twin brother, Malsumis.

Tabaldak gave Gluskab the power to create a good world. Malsumis, on the other hand, did the opposite, and still seeks evil to this day. While he and Gluskab both had the power to do good, Malsumis used his power for evil and trickery, like putting thorns on plants. Gluskab protects man, but Malsumis uses his power to plot the end of man to this very day.

Malsumis is sometimes associated with wolves, but many Wabanaki claim that this is not true. They are also unsure if he is even a real figure or if folklorists have confused him with other Abenaki spirits.[2]

References
  1. Fee, Christopher; Webb, Jeffrey (2016). "G". American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore. 1. ABC-CLIO, LLC. p. 420. ISBN 9781610695688.
  2. "Malsum". native-languages.org.
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