The world of the Great Lakes Indians was filled with a host of spirits (manido; plural manidog), which inhabited trees, plants, birds, and animals. Cosmic phenomena were also considered spirits, including the sun, the moon, thunder, lightning, the four winds, and the thunderbirds.
Comprising 376 items, the majority of the items were collected during the 1930s –- a time when European trends were just beginning to affect Tarahumara material culture. An exhibit in the Museum located on the third floor within the Middle America exhibit displays only a small amount of the total collection. This section provides a more comprehensive view of the Milwaukee Public Museum pieces.
Suddenly, it began to rain maple syrup, not sap, right on top of him. Wenebojo got a birchbark tray and held it out to catch the syrup. He said to himself, “This is too easy for the Indians to have the syrup just rain down like this.” So he threw the syrup away and decided that before they could have the syrup, the Indians would have to give a feast, offer tobacco, speak to the manido, and put out some birchbark trays.
For the most complete bibliography of Aztalan and related Mississippian material please refer to Robert A. Birmingham and Lynne G. Goldstein's book Aztalan: Mysteries of an Ancient Indian Town. Wisconsin Historical Society Press. Madison Wisconsin, 2006.
"A total eclipse of the Sun...is the most sublime and awe-inspiring sight that nature affords."
~ Isabel Martin Lewis, American Astronomer
Eclipse Saturdays
Preview and prepare for the big solar eclipse on August 21! Stop by the Planetarium on any of these three Saturdays: May 20, June 24, or July 29. We will have a host a fun events and activities, including:
On exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum March 2 – July 7, 2019.