Wanigan - [Fearsome Critter]

Wanigan - [Fearsome Critter] - latin: lignum Cedrus Testa - AKA: wannigan. wanegane (etc)

• About this critter: The Wannigan was described briefly in 1905 as "a peculiar forest animal' which 'shuts itself up something like a mud turtle.' – its quite shy and rare, so its habits and appearance are largely unclear. –what is known is that It's shell resembled a peculiar cedar box of the same name - It has long been Rumoured to reside somewhere between Hudsons bay, Canada & along the St Croix river leading down from New Brunswick to Maine. They where perhaps seen as menaces to canoeing fishermen; the unwary of which would mistake it for a lunch box: it'd nip at ya like a snapping turtle, then run off! - Spoken rumour had it that the Wannigan would 'cling' to the heads of fur traders, allowing it to migrate for miles...

• History: Yet another "Peculiar animal of the Pinewoods" Very briefly described in "Deacon Whites Idee's" [1905] – [See also, my recent bio on the "Laly-gag" for a full synopsis of whats going on here, (don't wan't to repeat myself too much.)] - The wannigan is the final critter elaborated on by Jim who describes it before shutting down the conversation & getting back to work:

... "The wannigan,'' he continued, ''is another of those peculiar forest animals. I'm not fully posted as to its habits are but it shuts itself up like a mud turtle. But now I cant spent my time entertainin' you fellers. You ought to get out into the world and  get the scales off your eyes and the moss off your backs, and get so you'd know somethin' your-selves."  ...

[Deacon whites idees. 1905]

....and that's literally it! – As with the majority of Deacon Whites critters, they where mentioned briefly, vaguely and in the manner of a joke, with the context of 'hazing greenhorns' (aka pranking newbies.) – Just a simple tease or a pun to confuse those that where perhaps not up on their camping etymology! – As such, this critter has been largely disregarded and forgotten about. - as with most critters - it's a bit less a "creature of folklore" and more so something a bit more close to 'an old pun that one might not understand or make much, if any, sense in a modern context.' – But of course; as i like to point out, The same thing could be said for several tsukumogami (and many other popular creatures from around the world.)  as such, i feel that its quite important not to completely disregard critters just because of their humor! - Unlike those mentioned however, we have even less 'historic-folklore' to work off of: indeed it is 'just a simple pun'; however, the origin of which is pretty interesting...

You see, In actuality: a "Wannigan" is an old-fashioned wooden storage container (often hand made with cedar) and used for storing food, cookware, and other supplies while canoeing or sledding (At the turn of the previous century, they where particularly popular with fur traders near the Hudsons bay.) – They're often shaped with a curved edge, made to fit squarely into a Canoe and optionally used as a table.– (if flipped upsidown it does kinda resemble a turtle shell a bit!) – Though square versions exist as well of course! – Today; you're more likely to see these as hand-me-down antiques in homes, often used as a coffee table! - Traditionally they are worn & carried in a rather silly way, with a 'Tumpline' (leather strap) slung over the forehead (that way fur traders could carry the heavy chest for miles.) - Incidentally The name of the tool comes from the Algonquian first nations people and can also mean "a hole dug in the ground or a wooden pit trap."

-- All's that to say; I'd probably classify this one among the other Tool-based critters such as the Axe Handle Hound, the Teakettler and the Wild Auger Handle.

[Wannigans - image source pinterest/jagwoodworking.ca]

[Wanigan as described in 'lumberjack lingo' 1969 (Also as an aside, note the coincidental 'Wampus cat' definition.) – seems there's quite a few definitions of this one, including a "Large flat bottomed log raft" or a 'cook or storage houseboat' or just even as a funny nick name for 'old-timers.']

[Wannigans mentioned in an 1922 minneapolis journal article about sunken treasure & pirates on the Mississippi!

-[Art sticker by SamKalensky - Part of my Fearsome Critters collection of stickers. Support and follow for more.- Much thanks go to my friend @RyanHarmsen for the help w researching this one.]