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The '''Baykok''' is | The '''Baykok''' is an evil spirit from the mythology of the Chippewa nation, which is said to dwell in the forests of the Great Lakes region. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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[[Category:Anishinaabe mythology]] | [[Category:Anishinaabe mythology]] | ||
[[Category: Ghosts]] | [[Category: Ghosts]] | ||
[[Category: Demons]] |
Revision as of 23:25, 10 April 2009
The Baykok is an evil spirit from the mythology of the Chippewa nation, which is said to dwell in the forests of the Great Lakes region.
Etymology
The word bakaak in the Anishinaabe language means "skeleton" in the sense of "bones draped in skin" rather than "bare-bones", such that it lends itself to words like bakaakadozo, meaning "to be thin/skinny/poor", and bakaakadwengwe, meaning "to have a lean/thin face". The name Bakaak occasionally appears as Bekaak (reflected in English as "Baykok"), which may be a shortening of bekaakadwaabewizid, meaning "an extremely thin being". Also pau'guk, paguk, baguck; bakaak in the Ojibwe language and pakàk in the Algonquin language)
Description
The Baykok is said to appear as an extremely emaciated skeleton-like figure, with thin translucent skin and glowing red points for eyes. The cries of Baykok are also described as being shrill.
Behavior
The Baykok only preys upon warriors, but does so ruthlessly, using invisible arrows or beating its prey to death with a club. The Baykok, after paralyzing or killing its prey, then devours the liver of its victim.
See also
External links
- list of words found in "The Song of Hiawatha"
- Macula modern portrayal
References
- Jean-André Cuoq|Cuoq, Jean André. 1886. Lexique de la Langue Algonquine. Montréal: J. Chapleau & Fils.
- Johnston, Basil. 2001. The Manitous: the spiritual world of the Ojibway. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press.
- Nichols, John D. and Earl Nyholm. 1995. A Concise Dictionary of Minnesota Ojibwe. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.