Foxes, known for their cunning and elusive nature, have long captured the imaginations of various cultures. Among the Narragansett Indians, however, the black fox stood out as an especially mysterious and supernatural figure. These black foxes were not only difficult to catch—they were believed to be impossible to trap or kill.
In 1643, Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, wrote about this legend: "The Indians say they have black foxes, which they have often seen, but never could take any of them. They say they are Manittooes, that is Gods, Spirits, or Divine powers."
For the Narragansett and other tribes of the region, black foxes were not mere animals but divine spirits, embodiments of power and mystery. These foxes, thought to possess godlike qualities, played a unique role in Native American spiritual beliefs.
Black Fox in Native American Folklore
Black foxes also hold significance in Native American folklore and mythology across various tribes. While specific tales and beliefs vary, the black fox is consistently portrayed as a figure of power, wisdom, and cunning:
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe): In Ojibwe folklore, the black fox is often associated with transformation and shape-shifting abilities. It is believed that black foxes can change into human form and possess great wisdom.
Passamaquoddy: The Passamaquoddy tribe of the Northeastern United States tells stories of a mischievous black fox who tricks and outwits other animals, portraying it as a clever and resourceful figure.
Choctaw: The Choctaw tribe from the southeastern United States has a legend about a black fox with magical powers, believed to bring good luck and protection to those who happen to encounter it.
Haida: In the Pacific Northwest, the Haida people depict the black fox as a trickster figure, known for its cunning and ability to outsmart others.
However, as British settlers arrived and began to adopt these local legends, the black fox began to take on more sinister associations. One particularly malicious black fox was rumoured to haunt the Salmon River in Connecticut, becoming a source of fear for settlers.
The Black Fox: From Sacred to Sinister
In the 19th century, the poet John Brainard captured this haunting image in verse, and his work inspired others. The more famous poet John Greenleaf Whittier, from Haverhill, Massachusetts, expanded upon Brainard’s version in his own 1831 poem, incorporating elements from the Wild Hunt myth and Algonquin shamanism. In Whittier’s poem, the black fox is said to be a cursed figure, linked to Hobomocko, an Algonquin god associated with death, night, water, and shamanism.
According to Whittier's version of the legend:"They said it was a Fox accurst, By Hobomocko's will, That it was once a mighty chief, Whom battle might not kill, But who, for some unspoken crime, Was doomed to wander still."
The legend tells of a black fox appearing near a New England town one winter. Two overconfident young Yankee hunters set out with rifles, determined to catch and kill the creature, despite warnings from the local Native Americans. The Native Americans predicted their fate, saying:"They told us that our hunters, would never more return. That they would hunt for evermore, through tangled swamp and fern. And that their last and dismal fate, no mortal ear might learn.
True to the prophecy, the hunters’ bodies are discovered in the spring, deep in the forest. The land where they died becomes cursed—nothing grows there, and animals avoid the spot. As the legend goes, every winter, when the snows cover the earth, the spectre of the black fox emerges once again, howling over the hunters' final resting place.
Whittier's retelling shows how, over two centuries, the black fox transformed from a sacred and spiritual figure in Native American lore to a symbol of haunting and death in European settler folklore. This evolution highlights the blending and reinterpretation of indigenous stories through the lens of colonial fears and superstitions.
Foxes Revered in Native American Culture
Native American traditions also attribute various powers and qualities to the fox. The Cherokee people invoked fox medicine to protect themselves from frostbite, using the animal’s essence to ensure warmth and vitality during harsh winters. Hopi shamans incorporated fox skins into their healing ceremonies, recognising the fox’s spiritual power as a guide and healer. For the Choctaw, the fox symbolised the protection of family unity, safeguarding the bonds that hold families together. Meanwhile, the Apache credited the fox with stealing fire for humanity by dipping its tail into the flames, a clever and daring act that provided warmth and survival for the people.
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