Tradition: Kwakwakaʼwakw, Nuu-chah-nulth Mythology, Canadian Mythology
Alternative Names: Tsonoqua, Tsonokwa, Basket Ogress
Category: Giant
The Myth
Dzunuḵ̓wa is a fearsome female monster in the mythologies of the Kwakwakaʼwakw and Nuu-chah-nulth peoples of the Pacific Northwest. She is traditionally depicted as a naked, black-skinned old monster with bedraggled hair and long, pendulous breasts. In masks and totem pole carvings, she is recognizable by her bright red, pursed lips, associated with her distinctive cry of “Hu!” According to tradition, the sound of wind blowing through cedar trees is sometimes said to be Dzunuḵ̓wa calling from the forest.
She is especially feared by children because she steals them and carries them away in a large basket to eat. Despite her terrifying reputation, Dzunuḵ̓wa is also associated with wealth and prosperity. She possesses great riches and may bestow them upon those who manage to gain control of her child. She is also regarded as an ancestor of the Namgis clan through her son, Tsilwalagame, giving her an important place in clan tradition.
Dzunuḵ̓wa possesses unusual powers. In some stories, she can return from the dead and regenerate wounds, abilities that allow her to revive her own children. However, she is also described as having poor eyesight and being drowsy and dim-witted, weaknesses that make it possible for people to evade or deceive her.
In one legend, a group of people tricks Dzunuḵ̓wa into falling into a pit of fire. They keep the fire burning for many days until her body is completely destroyed, preventing her from reviving herself. According to the story, the ashes rising from the fire transform into mosquitoes. Her legends therefore combine the frightening image of a child-eating ogress with themes of supernatural resilience, danger, and the possession of great wealth.
Sources
“Dzunukwa.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzunukwa