Native American Legend Of Apotamkin Teaches Children Obedience
Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Among native Americans, the Apotamkin is a dangerous sea creature that lurks along the coast of Passamaquoddy Bay between the U.S. state of Maine and the Canadian province of New Brunswick.
The Apotamkin myth is about teaching children the importance of obedience. They must understand how dangerous it can be to visit some places alone without their parents.
Credit: Public Domain
There are many different descriptions of this mythological sea monster. Sometimes it is said it to be a humanoid with red long hair and sharp teeth. Some stories describe it as a wicked woman who once transformed into a giant sea serpent. On other occasions, the Apotamkin is described as a mermaid.
The Apotamkin is also known under many different names such as Aputamkon, Appodumken, Appod’mk’n, Apodumken, Abbodumken, Apotampkin, Apotumk’n, Aboo-dom-k’n, Apotamkon, Apoatamkin, and Aboumk’n.
The most important aspect of the Apotamkin myth is to convey an important message to children and convince them not to venture too close to dangerous bodies of water alone. Children are told that Apotamkim lies hidden in the Passamaquoddy Bay, and the sea creature will consume young children and other innocent victims, dragging them down to its underwater realms.
Because of the popularity of the Stephen Meyers series Twilight, many non-Native Americans assume the Apotamkin is a vampire because the author used the term in the book. However, this is not true according to the Maliseet and Passamaquoddy tribes of the Northeast. Of course, there are some similarities between the Apotamkin and a vampire, but that’s only natural because mythological creatures often share the same traits. In some cases, the Apotamkin can cause a heart to freeze, and a person who spots this creature can become so frightened that he or she may have a heart attack or stroke.
Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that although Apotamkin is defined as a monster, it is not always evil. On the contrary, Apotamkin’s presence in the waters prevents children from accidental injuries and death. The Passamaquoddy tribe believes Apotamkin is a benevolent monster that protects children from falling through weak ice and other disasters.
Stories passed on from generation to generation play an important role in Native American culture. Myths and legends told by Elders can explain the creation of life as well as the history and culture of Native Americans.
Many Native American myths are also deliberately told to provide children or adults with advice on how to proceed in life. These powerful stories convey important messages, and it can sometimes take a while before we understand the deeper meaning behind these myths. The rich oral tradition of Native American storytelling can be rather complex, but it’s nevertheless truly fascinating. Mythological creatures such as, for example, the Heyoka, a sacred clown encountered in Native American mythology, teach us valuable life-lessons.
Updated on March 29, 2023
Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesQ. L. Pearce - Native American Mythology
Jeffrey Lehman, Melissa Walsh Doig - The Gale Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes
More From Ancient Pages
-
Sacred Ancient Texts Reveal Who Really Aligned The Oldest Monuments To The Stars
Civilizations | May 26, 2018
-
Amazing Finds At Rutland Roman Villa Reported By Archaeologists
Archaeology | Nov 29, 2022
-
Enigmatic Cernunnos – Most Ancient, Stag-Antlered, Peaceful God Of Celtic People
Celtic Mythology | Aug 26, 2019
-
Ancient Burials Shed New Light On Earliest Humans In Indonesia
Archaeology | Aug 25, 2022
-
Mysterious Cave With Giant Skulls Decorated By The Neanderthals Discovered In Spain
Archaeology | Jan 27, 2023
-
Ancient Roman Statues of Goddess Venus And Other Precious Artifacts Found In A Trash Pit In France
Archaeology | Apr 8, 2023
-
4,500-Year-Old Board Games And Game Pieces Unearthed At Gath
Archaeology | Jun 19, 2022
-
Mysterious Okefenokee Swamp – Fearsome Aerial Beings And Giant Skeletons In Georgia
Featured Stories | Aug 27, 2019
-
First Humans Appeared In Europe 1.4 Million Years Ago – Stone Tools Found At Korolevo Reveal
Human Beginnings | Mar 8, 2024
-
Fearsome Sekhmet: Lion-Headed Egyptian Goddess And Sister Of Ptah
Egyptian Mythology | May 13, 2020
-
Confucius: Philosopher, Educationist And Great Intellect With A Noble Morality
Featured Stories | Jul 27, 2016
-
Delatores – Who Were The Professional Gossip Collectors In Ancient Rome?
Ancient History Facts | Feb 2, 2021
-
On This Day In History: Statue of Liberty Arrived In New York Harbor – On June 17, 1885
News | Jun 17, 2016
-
The Burnt City And Its Mysterious Prehistoric Inhabitants
Civilizations | Nov 17, 2014
-
Ancient Stepwells Of India: Symbol Of Sacred Water And Boundary Between Heaven And Earth
Civilizations | Jan 11, 2019
-
Researchers reconstructed face of oldest pharaonic mummy ‘Kent’
News | Sep 1, 2015
-
‘Impossible’ Ancient Egyptian Visit Troubles Historians
Featured Stories | Feb 11, 2021
-
Mystery Of The Gotland Grooves – Ancient Astronomical Observatory?
Civilizations | May 11, 2016
-
Mysterious Zuni Indians And Japanese People May Be Related – Did Buddhist Monks Reach North America In 1350?
Civilizations | Dec 26, 2017
-
Memory Of Palmyra’s Ancient Ruins Preserved Thanks To One Man’s Dedication And Mini Models Of Lost Temples
Archaeology | Mar 24, 2021