Malsumis
Encyclopedia
Malsumis is a highly malevolent spirit or god in Abenaki mythology
, an Algonquian
people of northeastern North America
.
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. Malsumis is the evil brother of Gluskab, who was created form the dust of the creation of man. While he and Gluskab both had the power to do good, Malsumis used his power for evil and trickery, like putting thorns on plants, or giving insects their sting. While Gluskab protects man, Malsumis uses his power to plot the end of man to this very day.
Abenaki mythology
The Abenaki people are an indigenous peoples of the Americas located in the northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. Religious ceremonies are led by medicine keepers, called Medeoulin or Mdawinno.-Three ages:...
, an Algonquian
Algonquian peoples
The Algonquian are one of the most populous and widespread North American native language groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds. Today hundreds of thousands of individuals identify with various Algonquian peoples...
people of northeastern North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
General background
According to legend, after TabaldakTabaldak
Tabaldak is the androgynous creator among the Abenaki and Algonquian people of northeastern North America. His name means "The Owner" who "created all living things but one". Tabaldak created people out of stones, but thought these people to be too cold. Next he tried wood, and out of these came...
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. Malsumis is the evil brother of Gluskab, who was created form the dust of the creation of man. While he and Gluskab both had the power to do good, Malsumis used his power for evil and trickery, like putting thorns on plants, or giving insects their sting. While Gluskab protects man, Malsumis uses his power to plot the end of man to this very day.