Great Serpent and The Great Flood

This myth originated in Main and Nova Scotia however it is now being told in the perspective of the Chippewa's. They believed that the serpent is a genuine spirit of evil. Nanabozho is the hero who is trying to slay the serpent. The serpent traveled from Minnesota to lake Manitou, also known as Lake of Devils after taking Nanabozhos cousin, the serpent lives at the bottom of the lake with other lesser serpents. As a result Nanabozho made the water boil, the winds blow and the sky clear all in one motion. All of a sudden the serpents came onto the land to rest under the shade. Meanwhile Nanabozho shot the great serpent. Immediately the serpent became angery. As a result the great serpent made the water rise and the dams break. In other words he made the world flood which forced people to move to the mountains. During this time the land was flooded and the people had to wait for the land to dry. The serpent is said to live at the bottom of Lake of Devils. This myth is important to the Chippewa Indians because it's there explanation for the Great Flood and how it really happened.

“Great Serpent and The Great Flood”. Native American Lore. Stone E. Productions 1996. 7 November 2008.


“Great Serpent and The Great Flood”. Photograph. Native American Myths and Creation. 11 November 2008. http://www.crystalinks.com/nativeamcreation.html