Tradition: American Mythology
Alternative Names: ᒋᐸᔮᐴᔅ, Chipiapoos, Cheeby-aub-oozoo, Spirit Rabbit, Ghost of Rabbit
Category: Rabbit
The Myth
Jiibayaabooz is a rabbit spirit from Ojibwe mythology who was fascinated by the mysterious world of spirits known as manitous. He was the son of Wiininwaa, a human mother, and E-bangishimog, a spirit father. Through dreams and communication with the manitous, he learned about the spiritual world and taught humans how to communicate with spirits through their dreams.
His older brother, Majiikiwis, often teased him, and one of his dares eventually led to Jiibayaabooz’s death. However, death did not end his spiritual work. His ghost continued teaching people about vision quests, purification ceremonies, and the relationship between humans and the spirit world.
Jiibayaabooz eventually became known as the Chief of the Underworld. According to Ojibwe tradition, he also gave the Anishinaabe people the spirit of music, chants, and poetry. A related figure appears in Abenaki mythology as Mateguas, a rabbit who returns from the dead and teaches his brother Gluskab sacred ceremonies to help him cope with his grief. Gluskab then passes these teachings on to humanity.
Sources
“Jiibayaabooz.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiibayaabooz