Seneca
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Jokao/Stonecoats
The Jokao are creatures from the myths of the Iroquois and Seneca people. They are a form of cannibal giant, whose bodies are covered in stone plates. They are often created in a very harsh winter, most often during famine when people were forced to eat their neighbors to survive. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Hagondes
The Hagondes is a bogeyman figure from the Seneca people. Its name means “long nose.” It is a cannibalistic clown that eats children. It carries misbehaving children away in a basket. Citations: Sullivan, Irene F., and Gill, Sam D.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
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Godzadowi
The Godzadowi is a mystical event from the Seneca and Iroquois people. It’s described as a form of possession hysteria that commonly occurs during the midwinter festival. It’s believed that certain spirits cause different reactions in those they possess. If one is possessed by a bear spirit, they may show great strength, grunt, clench their teeth, and be calmed with berries. Citations: Gill, Sam D., and Sullivan, Irene F.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
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Ganiagwaihegowa
Ganiagwaihegowa is a monster from myths of the Seneca people. He was a man-eating bear with no hair and human skin, who was only vulnerable on the soles of his feet. He tormented people in the underworld, but was killed by Hadentheni and Hanigongendatha. They shot his feet to kill him, and then cut up and burned his body. Citations: Sullivan, Irene F., and Gill, Sam D.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
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Djieien/Djien
The Djieien is a monstrous six-foot-tall spider from Seneca mythology. He could withstand any physical attacks because his heart is buried in the ground under a lodge. No matter the injury, it could heal completely if it returned to its heart. One of the Djieien took the father of Othegwenhda. Othegwenhda, consulted his sentient fetish to learn how to kill it. He climbs a tree, declares himself the greatest hunter, and throws a branch declaring it will pierce the Djieien’s heart. Djieien died as soon as the branch pierced its heart and Othegwenhda rescued his father, burning Djieien’s lodge to the ground. Citations: Curtin, Jeremiah. Seneca Fiction, Legends, and Myths…
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Deadoendjadases
Deadoendjadases is from Seneca myth. He was a cannibalistic monster that lived with his three witch sisters. They collected human flesh and pounded green corn for him to eat. Their longhouse was surrounded by a strawberry field and was guarded by Hadjoqda’s inflated skin. He was eventually killed by a boy from the Turkey clan. Then the boys clan along with the Quail and Partridge clans moved into the strawberry field. Citations: Sullivan, Irene F., and Gill, Sam D.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
