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In Mohegan tradition, as in all indigenous cultures, balance is
important. Moshup the Giant represents the large and great
beings. To maintain balance, he marries Granny Squannit,
leader of the magical woodland Little People.
Moshup figures in stories told by the Mohegans, Wampanoags
and other coastal tribes. In one story, when Moshup was trying
to build a bridge between Martha’s Vineyard and the mainland,
a crab bit his toe, causing him to leave footprints all over the
area. In another version, he gets so irritated, his feet turn fiery
red before he stomps his footprints about. This same fiery
temper caused him to throw stones all over Connecticut,
explaining why the landscape is so rocky.
Like Granny Squannit of the Little People, Moshup has power
over the forces of nature. Bad weather is the result of Moshup
arguing with Granny Squannit. For coastal tribes, Moshup and
his family become whales, symbolizing the ancient bonds
between land and sea creatures. Moshup is blamed by some
tribes for rough seas.
Moshup’s Rock
According to Mohegan tradition, Moshup’s Rock is one of the
footprints left by Moshup the Giant. Like many sites, Moshup’s
Rock carries different names, depending on culture. The
Mohegans call it Moshup’s Rock. Christian missionaries changed
the name to the “Devil’s Footprint” as a way to demonize Tribal
traditions.
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