The Msingw on the Tribe Seal is interesting. Was he considered a god?
First of all, he was not a God. The Lenape believe in one God only, but under him there are mantuwk, and these are “lesser spirits,” and they have various roles to fill. I am not sure they would be the same as the whiteman’s angels, but perhaps somewhat similar. The Msingw was the guardian spirit of the game animals, such as deer and bear, etc. It was said he “helped” the Lenape find the game when they went hunting, and also that he would sometimes be seen riding on the back of a deer. The Msingw had a face that was half-red and half black, like the one on the seal, and the man who impersonated him at certain ceremonies wore a suit made of bearskin. Because he had a fearful appearance, the parents would sometimes use the mention of him to correct the children. They were told that the Msingw would get them if they didn’t behave.
