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The Mi’kmaw, who live in northern Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, have myths of cannibal ice giants that they call the Jenu. Winters in the deep pine forests of Maine are dark and cold. This is the season of the Jenu, who was a human who became an ice giant. Dark magic could turn an unwilling person into one. People who have either resorted to cannibalism or committed a savage murder will become a Jenu. Most reviled are those who refuse to feed any starving person. Since their hearts have already turned to ice, it is only a matter of time before they are completely a Jenu.
These giants of the snowy forests stood as tall as trees. The mouths of their emaciated faces contain huge fangs. Always hungry, the Jenu will eat their own lips and shoulders. Before pouncing on their prey, a Jenu will scream first, killing the unfortunate human.
To stop a Jenu, a person entices them to eat salt, to melt the human-shaped ice in their stomach. Another method is to have the Jenu vomit up their ice hearts. The objective is to turn the Jenu back into being a human.
To kill one, means shooting them full of arrows. After the Jenu dies, the person will chop the body into little bits and then burn the pieces. Then, they will mark the spot to warn others to avoid coming in contact with a Jenu. (Even the remains of a Jenu are deadly.)
In the myth “The Story of a Cannibal with an Icy Heart,” (Note 1.) the Jenu is defeated through kindness. The family greets the wandering Jenu as their “dear father.” They offer him food and shelter, all the while wondering if he will eat them. Still terrified of the Jenu, the family continues to treat him as a member of their family. Eventually, the Jenu is so overcome by their kindness that he vomits up his icy heart. After becoming human again, the former Jenu goes off to make amends.
Notes:
Note 1. This myth was collected in Charles Leland, “The Algonquian Legends of New England,” 1884.
Works Used:
Leland, Charles, “The Algonquin Legends of New England.” 1884. Web. https://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/ne/al/al50.htm.
Muise, Peter, “Cannibal Giants of the Snowy Northern Forest.” 4 January 2009. Web.
http://newenglandfolklore.blogspot.com/2009/01/cannibal-giants-of-snowy-northern.html.
Native Languages of the Americas, “Native American Legends: Chenoo (Chenu).” 2020. Web. http://www.native-languages.org/chenoo.htm.
