Rabbit and Hare stories in North America have strong ties to tales originating in Africa. In most cases, this is a result of oral traditions brought overseas during the import of African slaves. Bre'r Hare, Brother Hare, or "Compair Lapin" (Comrade Rabbit) is a well-known figure in American folklore.

But Hare also figures prominently in many Native American cultures, in North as well as South America. In the Plains and Great Lakes regions of the United States, Hare fills the role of Trickster - a part played by such other animals as Spider, Raven and Coyote in other regions. Indeed, many Trickster stories are nearly identical between regions, changing only the name of the clever hero. His part in these tales may range from trickster/transformer, to the fool, to a hero; he may also be elevated to a messenger for the Gods or Creator's helper. Common Trickster traits were however, more often negative and meant to illustrate Man's fallible nature: stubbornness, chicanery, duplicity, cruelty, greed, gluttony, avarice, and sometimes these mischievous actions foiled the plans of the Creator or "pranked" significant legendary (historic) humans, even causing illness or injury to the Trickster himself.

Probably the most elevated Hare in American mythology is Nanabohzo, known alternately as Wenabozho or Manabohzo; the Creator-culture-hero-trickster of the North and Northeast United States. The Great Hare is a transformer figure, a creator and provider of food and representative of the various life forces. He is sometimes referred to as "the Great White One" or the "Maker of White".

Another important Hare is Michabo, whom the Algonquins say created the earth. Unusually, he is associated with the sun (rather than the moon) and is able to command the thunder and wind.

The Maya of South America also saw a Hare in the moon, and he is credited with inventing writing.

The city of Mexico took its name from one of its districts, which was designated by a title of Huitzilopochtli's, Mexitli (Hare of the Aloes).

Some Rabbit tales from the Americas:
Ableegumooch, the Lazy Rabbit
How Rabbit Lost His Tail
Rabbit Calls a Truce
Rabbit Shoots the Sun
Run, Rabbit, Run
Two Fawns and a Rabbit
How Rabbit Fooled Alligator (Creek)
Rabbit and the Coyote
Rabbit and Fox
Rabbit and the Moon Man (Micmac)
Rabbit and Otter, The Bungling Host
How Rabbit Fooled Wolf

 

© 2003 Heather Riesen