Nokomis
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Nokomis was the name of Hiawatha's grandmother in Longfellow's poem, The Song of Hiawatha.
She is an important character in the poem, mentioned in the familiar lines
- By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
- By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
- Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
- Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis.
According to the poem, "From the full moon fell Nokomis/Fell the beautiful Nokomis." She bears a daughter, Wenonah. Despite Nokomis' warnings, Wenonah allows herself to be seduced by the West-Wind, Mudjekeewis, "Till she bore a son in sorrow/Bore a son of love and sorrow/Thus was born my Hiawatha."
Abandoned by the heartless Mudjekeewis, Wenonah dies in childbirth, leaving Hiawatha to be raised by Nokomis. "The wrinkled old Nokomis/Nursed the little Hiawatha" and educates him.
The town of Nokomis, Florida is known to be named after her.