Wunzh

Role: eldest son · First appears: Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn

As spring began in Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn, Wunzh, the eldest son of the poor Indian (Mon-daw-min legend), entered a secluded lodge to fast and seek a spirit guide. On the third day, the celestial visitor (Mon-daw-min legend) appeared, saying, “I am sent to you, my friend,” and wrestled with Wunzh on successive days. After declaring himself conquered, the visitor instructed Wunzh to strip and bury him after their final contest, then tend the grave.

When Wunzh’s father offered food, Wunzh asked to continue fasting. At the usual hour, he defeated the visitor, found him dead, and buried him as instructed. Green plumes soon grew from the grave, and Wunzh tended the ground. As summer drew to a close, he showed his father the corn and said, “It is my friend”; he then taught him how to prepare and cook it. The family feasted on the new corn and gave thanks.

Relationship record

Life events

• Wunzh began his fast in a secluded lodge to seek a spirit guide.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • “In the mean time he prepared himself, and immediately went into it, and commenced his fast.”
• The celestial visitor appeared to Wunzh and told him he was sent to instruct him.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • With: the celestial visitor (Mon-daw-min legend)
  • “I am sent to you, my friend,” said the celestial visitor, “by that Great Spirit who made all things in the sky and on the earth.”
• The celestial visitor returned and wrestled with Wunzh again.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • With: the celestial visitor (Mon-daw-min legend)
  • “The next day the celestial visitor reappeared at the same hour and renewed the trial.”
• The celestial visitor declared himself conquered after wrestling with Wunzh.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • With: the celestial visitor (Mon-daw-min legend)
  • “He exerted his utmost powers, and after the contest had been continued the usual time, the stranger ceased his efforts and declared himself conquered.”
• The celestial visitor instructed Wunzh to strip him, bury him, and tend the grave.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • With: the celestial visitor (Mon-daw-min legend)
  • “To-morrow,” he repeated, “I shall meet you and wrestle with you for the last time; and, as soon as you have prevailed against me, you will strip off my garments and throw me down, clean the earth of roots and weeds, make it soft, and bury me in the spot.”
• The poor Indian offered Wunzh food, but Wunzh asked to continue fasting until sunset.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • With: the poor Indian (Mon-daw-min legend)
  • “In the morning the youth's father came with some slight refreshments, saying, “My son, you have fasted long enough.”
• Wunzh defeated the celestial visitor, who died, and Wunzh buried him.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • With: the celestial visitor (Mon-daw-min legend)
  • “He grasped his angelic antagonist with supernatural strength, threw him down, took from him his beautiful garments and plume, and finding him dead, immediately buried him on the spot, taking all the precautions he had been told of, and being very confident, at the same time, that his friend would again come to life.”
• Green plumes began growing from the grave, and Wunzh tended the ground.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • “Very soon he saw the tops of the green plumes coming through the ground; and the more careful he was to obey his instructions in keeping the ground in order, the faster they grew.”
• Wunzh showed his father the corn plant and revealed that it was the gift he had fasted for.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • With: the poor Indian (Mon-daw-min legend)
  • “It is my friend,” shouted the lad; “it is the friend of all mankind. It is Mondawmin.”
• Wunzh told his father how to prepare and cook the corn.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • With: the poor Indian (Mon-daw-min legend)
  • “He then communicated to his father the instructions given him by the stranger.”
• The family feasted on the newly grown corn and gave thanks.(Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn)
  • With: the poor Indian (Mon-daw-min legend)
  • “The whole family then united in a feast on the newly-grown ears, expressing gratitude to the Merciful Spirit who gave it.”

Mon-daw-min; or, the Origin of Indian Corn

• parent: the poor Indian (Mon-daw-min legend) “The same disposition was inherited by his eldest son, who had now arrived at the proper age to undertake the ceremony of the Ke-ig-uish-im-o-win, or fast, to see what kind of a spirit would be his guide and guardian through life. Wunzh, for this was his name, had been an obedient boy from his infancy, and was of a pensive, thoughtful, and mild disposition, so that he was beloved by the whole family.”
• enemies with the celestial visitor (Mon-daw-min legend) “He then told the young man to arise, and prepare to wrestle with him, as it was only by this means that he could hope to succeed in his wishes.”

Also listed in Other Figures — Minor Figures

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Extracted from the original text of The Myth of Hiawatha, and Other Oral Legends. Made with Rho MD.