Tradition: American Mythology
Alternative Names: Puk-Wudjie, Pukwudgee, Puck Wudj Ininee, Bokwjimen, Bgoji-nini, Bagwajinini
Category: Goblin
The Myth
Pukwudgies are small, humanoid supernatural beings that resemble little wild men of the forest. They are usually described as knee-high, standing around two to three feet tall, with gray skin, unusually large noses and ears, and long fingers. These creatures can change their shape into dangerous animals, including cougars and porcupines, and can appear or disappear at will. Some traditions also warn that a Pukwudgie can harm a person simply by staring at them.
The nature of Pukwudgies varies between Indigenous traditions. In some Ojibwe accounts, they are mischievous little people whose tricks cause trouble, while Wampanoag traditions portray them as more dangerous and menacing. They are associated with the wilderness and can use poisoned arrows, short knives, and spears to attack people. They may lure travellers to their deaths in the forest, push victims from cliffs, start fires, blind people by throwing sand at them, and kidnap children. Their unpredictable behaviour makes them beings that should not be treated with disrespect.
One Ojibwe story describes the origin of the Pukwudgies through a boy named Wa-Dais-Ais-Imid, who lived with his sister and possessed the ability to become invisible. He hunted animals and repeatedly stole prey gathered by the culture hero Manabozho. Although the boy initially escaped detection, Manabozho eventually became determined to kill him. The boy fled into the mountains and among the rocks, telling his sister that he would henceforth be known as Puck Wudj Ininee. This figure became associated with the little people of the wilderness.
In Wampanoag mythology, the Pukwudgies were originally well-intentioned helper spirits, although their efforts frequently went wrong. Over time, they became increasingly mischievous and hostile, causing suffering among humans. The people appealed to the giant Maushop and his wife, Granny Squanit, for protection. Maushop gathered up many Pukwudgies and scattered them across New England, killing some and leaving the survivors disoriented. However, the surviving creatures eventually regrouped and resumed their mischief. They began kidnapping children and driving people to seek refuge deeper in the woods.
Pukwudgies therefore occupy an ambiguous place in Indigenous folklore: they may be troublesome tricksters, but in some traditions they are dangerous forest beings capable of serious harm. Their ability to shapeshift, vanish, and exploit the wilderness makes them unpredictable supernatural neighbours whose behaviour can range from bungling mischief to deadly hostility.
Sources
“Pukwudgie.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 17, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pukwudgie