Dzunukwa – Wild Woman
Dzunukwa, an extremely complex spirit, may cause death and destruction or bestow blessings, life, wealth, and knowledge. Dzunukwa, the Wild Woman of the Woods, lives in the mountains and deep forests of the Pacific Northwest, a dreaded cannibal who feasts on children. Hence, she serves as a warning to children not to run off alone in the woods. (“Behave yourself or Dzunukwa will get you!”) She also serves as a bogeywoman, a threat to make children behave, because allegedly her favourite food is disobedient, rebellious children.
Dzunukwa has tremendous physical and supernatural powers. Brawn or magical skill may be insufficient to defeat her. Luckily, Dzunukwa is a very literal thinker; her powers of thought are limited, and so she is easily tricked or outwitted. Myths of kidnapped children tend to end happily as the children usually manage to fool her and escape.
Dzunukwa is sometimes described as stupid, but that’s not really accurate. She has tremendous knowledge, even esoteric knowledge, of the woods, animals, and secrets of life, death, and nature. She just doesn’t think in the same way that a person does. She becomes easily disoriented when outside the forest and is not happy removed from wild nature. (In some ways, Dzunukwa resembles Baba Yaga except that Baba Yaga is very clever and sharper than most humans. She outwits us; Baba Yaga’s favours are earned via good manners and hard work.)
Dzunukwa likes to snack on children, and she can be hostile to people in general. Her best relationships tend to be with adult men. Those who can soothe and tame her may receive tremendous gifts from her. Dzunukwa can bestow wealth and good fortune. She is a font of rare knowledge, and she owns the Water of Life.
Through her son, Dzunukwa is an ancestral spirit and may protect those perceived as descendents. Dzunukwa masks are incorporated into sacred Kwakiutl ceremonies and rituals, especially those indicating her wealthy, generous aspects.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Tsonoqua
ORIGIN:
Kwakiutl
MANIFESTATION:
Dzunukwa is a giantess—twice human size. She’s covered in black fur and has long pendulous breasts. She’s often heard before she’s seen, making a characteristic owllike Hooo sound.
ATTRIBUTE:
A large burden basket in which she carries off disobedient children (or potentially any child she can catch)
COLOUR:
Black
Tree:
Cedar
Metal:
Copper
SEE ALSO:
- Baba Yaga
- Bukwas
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.