Kukwes

Kukwes is a menacing figure from the traditions of the Mi’kmaq people of Canada’s Atlantic coast, described as a large, hairy ogre with an insatiable appetite for human flesh. Unlike many giant-like beings in folklore who display complex motivations, Kukwes is almost purely driven by gluttony, sniffing out human camps with an extraordinary sense of smell. Some versions say it licks footprints to track victims. Elders tell stories of Kukwes being tricked or outwitted by clever people, turning it into both a frightful monster and a moral lesson in vigilance and wit. While obviously mythic, Kukwes continues to play an important cultural role, underscoring communal teachings about respect, resourcefulness, and the ever-present risks lurking beyond the fire’s glow.