Pukwudgie

Stories of the Pukwudgie go back around 9,000 years and come from the northeastern area of North American.  They stem from the Algonquin tribes such as the Wampanoag and Chippewa.  So, what are they?

Various sites said they could be considered cryptids or faeries.  Makes sense since they are magical little people who hide in the forest.  Physically, they don’t get any higher than a human’s knee.  They have large ears and noses and their skin is smooth and gray.  It can vary by tribe, but the height and one other aspect seem to be continuous.  The most unique part of their appearance is a mass of porcupine-style quills running from their heads down their backs.  It is said that approaching from behind can lead a person to mistaking it for a porcupine.

With the powers of invisibility and shapeshifting, they can cause a lot of trouble.  It is best to leave them alone and try to get away before they notice you.  This is because they have grudges against humans, so they aren’t friendly.  If you antagonize a Pukwudgie, they can attack with magic or poison arrows.  They will even kidnap or lure people to their deaths because of their grudge.

From Massachusetts, we get a legend that explains their aggression.  The Pukwudgie originally tried to help humans, but weren’t understood or appreciated.  So, they considered humans ungrateful and didn’t like that they were friendly with a creation giant named Maushop.  The Pukwudgie started causing trouble and the humans went to their friend’s wife for help.  Her husband flung the Pukwudgie to the Great Lakes Region, which is why they show up in Indiana too.  Another version of this legend has them returning to kill humans.  Maushop sent his sons to stop them, but his sons were killed and, in some versions, him or his wife were killed too.  This makes them incredibly dangerous and vicious enemies to be avoided at all costs.

Going back in information a bit, Pukwudgie is actually a term originating from the Midwest to describe their little magical beings.  The local terms for these guys differed from tribe to tribe such as makiawisug and mekumwasuck.  Tried to find information on the original owners of the name, but couldn’t find anything.  So, anyone who can add to this legend, please do so in the comments.  Thanks.