Manitou

Guardian spirits (phonetically analogous to "soul", "spirit" or "power") in the animistic views of the Indians of most Algonquian peoples, which are endowed with every plant, stone and even mechanism.

Manitou is perceived in order to be able to contact the forces of nature. They can be embodied in medicines and amulets. In the mythology of such sub—ethnic groups as Montagnais and Naskapi, Manitou are underwater creatures, the owners of the area, to whom offerings of tobacco are made during travel.