Odziozo
Abenaki transformer giant who shaped landforms and became stone.
Odziozo, also known as Oodzee-hozo, is a giant from Algonquin (specifically Abenaki) mythology. His name translates to "He who Created Himself" or "Transformer." He is credited with shaping numerous landforms, such as Lake Champlain, Tuxis Island and Pond, Rock Dunder, and Samson Rock, along with various mountains and rivers.
According to legend, Odziozo grew his arms and head from his own body, but his legs developed slowly. To occupy himself, he created valleys, meadows, and hills. After carving out and flooding the lake then called Bitawbágw, Petoubouque, or Petonbowk (meaning "lake in between"), he followed a flock of migrating geese south along a glacier. He arrived in Madison, Connecticut, where he scooped up a handful of earth and threw it into the sea. One piece that landed in Long Island Sound became Tuxis Island; another piece that fell from his hand became Samson Rock. The splash from this action filled the hole, forming Tuxis Pond. Odziozo then turned—presumably with his legs fully grown—stepped on the rock, and returned to Vermont to reach his home, Rock Dunder. Exhausted, he turned himself into stone there, so he could remain forever with his favorite creation.
The giant is often said to have lived before animals evolved legs, so many landforms were created by his long arms dragging his body. Rock Dunder, located in Shelburne, Vermont, is believed to hold his spirit and body. The Madison portion of the story is likely a more recent addition. A boat race on Lake Champlain is named after Odziozo. At least one scholar suggests that the glacier mentioned in the legend was added during the 17th century.
Name variants for Odziozo include Wo-ja-ho-sen, Odzihozo, Odzihózo, Bemee-geedzin-pobi-zeed, Odzeez, Odzihodo, and Ojihozo. He is frequently confused with the figure Glooscap.
- Field
- Abenaki mythology
- Known for
- Creation of Lake Champlain, Tuxis Island, Rock Dunder, Samson Rock
- Name meaning
- He who Created Himself / Transformer
- Associated place
- Lake Champlain, Madison (Connecticut), Shelburne (Vermont)
Lore & Background
According to legend, Odziozo grew his arms and head from his body, but his legs grew slowly. He passed the time by forming valleys, meadows, and hills. After carving out and flooding Lake Champlain, then known as Bitawbágw, Petoubouque or Petonbowk, meaning 'lake in between,' he followed a flock of migrating geese south along a glacier. He arrived in Madison, Connecticut, where he took a handful of earth and flung it to sea. The piece that landed in Long Island Sound became Tuxis Island, and another piece that fell out of his hand became Samson Rock. The hole, Tuxis Pond, was filled in the resulting splash. Odziozo then turned, stepping on the rock (it is assumed his legs had grown in by then), and went back to Vermont to get to his home, Rock Dunder, where, exhausted, he turned himself into a stone, so as to be permanently with his favorite creation.
Reader's Guide
Odziozo holds significance in Abenaki mythology as a creator figure responsible for numerous landforms in the Lake Champlain region and coastal Connecticut. The legend describes him as a giant who formed valleys, meadows, and hills while waiting for his legs to grow. His story explains the origins of specific geological features, including Lake Champlain, Tuxis Island and Pond, Rock Dunder, and Samson Rock. The narrative also reflects cultural adaptation, as at least one expert believes the glacier mentioned in the legend was added in the 17th century. The Madison, Connecticut, portion of the story is considered a more recent addition. Odziozo is often said to have lived before animals evolved legs, and many landforms were caused by the dragging of his body by his long arms. Rock Dunder in Shelburne, Vermont, is supposedly where his spirit and body are kept. A boat race on Lake Champlain is named after him. He is sometimes confused with the figure Glooscap in Abenaki tradition.
Did You Know?
- Odziozo's name means 'He who Created Himself' or 'Transformer.'
- He is said to have turned himself into a stone at Rock Dunder in Shelburne, Vermont.
- At least one expert thinks the glacier in the legend was added in the 17th century.
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