Neolin facts for kids

Neolin (meaning the enlightened in Algonquian) was a prophet of the Lenni Lenape people. The Lenni Lenape are also known as the Delaware. Neolin came from the village of Muskingum in Ohio. We do not know when he was born or when he died.

In 1761, Neolin had a special religious vision. Because of this vision, he told Native Americans that they should stop using goods and living like the European settlers. He believed they should return to their traditional ways of life. He especially wanted them to avoid being too focused on owning many things. Neolin's most famous follower was Pontiac, a powerful leader.

Who Was Neolin?

Neolin's Vision from the Master of Life

In 1761, Neolin spent time fasting, singing, and dreaming. During this time, he said he was visited by the Master of Life. The Master of Life is also called Keesh-she'-la-mil'-lang-up, which means "being that thought us into being."

In his vision, Neolin was asked to visit the Master of Life. He got ready as if he were going on a hunt. His journey led him along a path that split into three roads. Neolin rested at the fork as night came. He noticed that the three roads became brighter as it got darker, which surprised him.

At sunrise, Neolin chose the widest of the three roads. Suddenly, he saw a great fire coming out of the earth. He went back to the crossroads and picked a second road. This road also led to a great fire. Returning to the fork again, Neolin chose the third road. This path led him to a "mountain of marvelous whiteness." He stopped, amazed by what he saw.

Meeting the Master of Life

While at the mountain, Neolin met a beautiful woman. She told him that to see the Master of Life, he needed to wash himself in a nearby river. After he did this, the woman said he must use only his left hand and left foot to climb the mountain. Neolin reached the top of the mountain feeling tired. There, he saw a village. A voice told him he could enter the village because he was clean.

At the gate, a man dressed in all white greeted him. This man led Neolin to the Master of Life. The Master of Life took Neolin's hand and gave him a "hat all bordered with gold." The Master of Life then said, "I am He who hath created the heavens and the earth, the trees, lakes, rivers, all men, and all thou seest and hath seen upon the earth. Because I love you, ye must do what I say and love, and not do what I hate."

The Master's Message to Neolin

During their talk, the Master of Life told Neolin that he was unhappy with how his people were living. The biggest problem was that Native Americans were allowing Europeans to take over their lands. The Master promised to bring back many animals for hunting and make the lands rich again. This would happen if Native Americans resisted more European invasions.

The Master of Life told Neolin that the way to a good life was to reject European ways. They needed to return to the traditional customs of their ancestors. This meant living by hunting with bows and arrows and wearing clothes made from animal skins. The ideas Neolin shared with the Lenni Lenape people were similar to some Christian beliefs. This might be because they had learned about Christianity.

Neolin's Teachings and Influence

Hundreds of Native people in the area now known as Ohio became followers of Neolin. Neolin taught that Native Americans had been changed by European ways. He said they needed to become pure again by returning to their old traditions. He also told them to get ready for a holy fight. "Drive them out," he declared about the settlers.

A group of chiefs became more powerful by adopting Neolin's ideas. They formed a group of tribes working together. The most important leader among them was the Ottawa chief Pontiac. He was known for being a great speaker and a strong political leader.

In 1762, the Master of Life showed Neolin a prayer to be said every morning and evening. Neolin's most important work was the "Great Book of Writing." This was a chart that showed the path a soul must take to reach a good afterlife. This "path to happiness" was drawn by Neolin on a deer hide. The diagram showed a path from earth to a happy afterlife. This path was blocked by "strokes" that stood for the bad habits brought by the Europeans. The only way to happiness was to avoid these bad habits. By doing this, people would follow the narrow path to happiness.

Neolin said that to help Native Americans remember these teachings, they should get a copy of the "bible." He offered to make copies for a price of one buckskin or two doeskins.

Neolin and Pontiac's War

Pontiac and his allies planned a surprise attack against the British in the spring of 1763. However, Neolin did not support this uprising. He asked the tribes to put down their weapons. But Pontiac's War went ahead anyway. This war became one of the first in a series of Native American resistance movements against colonial rule. These movements were often inspired by a mix of religious and political leadership.

Neolin's Lasting Impact

Neolin's teachings, especially as used by Pontiac, influenced the policies of almost twenty tribes. These tribes lived from Lake Ontario to the Mississippi River. They included the Ojibwa, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Seneca, Huron, Miami, Shawnee, and Delaware. Pontiac was known for using "Neolin's message as a slogan" to encourage warriors for the military attack on Detroit.

The Trout, also called Maya-Ga-Wy, was an Ottawa prophet in the early 1800s. He continued the ideas of Neolin and Pontiac. He encouraged people to return to traditional ways to fight against European control. His beliefs went even further. He spoke against trading furs with white settlers. He also spoke against eating bread (which he called "food of the Whites") and wearing hats.

See also

• Pontiac (person)
• Tenskwatawa
• Native American temperance activists

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