Minnesota folklore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Minnesota folklore, although its study and documentation have never been a priority among academics, is present and varied. As the state has been the residence of such a wide variety of ethnic groups, Minnesota's folktales and folk songs are reflective of its history.
- Paul Bunyan, the legendary giant lumberjack
- Otto Walta, a Finnish-American homesteader and strongman from the northern Iron Range, is the hero of many folktales told around St. Louis County, Minnesota.[1]
- Ola Värmlänning, a booze swilling, Swedish-American prankster from Minneapolis, can easily be compared to the German Till Eulenspiegel.[2]
- Father Francis Xavier Pierz, a pioneer missionary priest, is the subject of many tales told among the Ojibwe people of White Earth Reservation and the German- and Slovenian-American Catholics of Stearns County, Minnesota.[3][4]
Folk creatures
- While not restricted to Minnesota, many wendigo myths and sightings originate from traditionally Ojibwe areas within Minnesota.
- The Minnesota Iceman.
- Pepie, a lake monster residing in Lake Pepin.[5]
- Duluth, Minnesota is home to a myriad of supernatural urban legends and folktales. This includes sea monsters residing in Lake Superior.[6]
- Fearsome critters, such as the teakettler, hugag, axehead hound, hidebehind, hoop snake, and jackalope.
