Nihancan the Spider Trickster
Nihancan is the Arapaho trickster figure, a spider-like being similar to Iktomi of the Lakota and Wihio of the Cheyenne. He is both clever and foolish, often causing trouble through his greed and selfishness. In one tale, Nihancan tricked a bear family and killed the children, only to be outwitted himself. Another story tells of Nihancan encountering a dwarf with a powerful arrow; the dwarf taught Nihancan a lesson about humility and respect. Despite his flaws, Nihancan's stories serve as important moral lessons for the Arapaho people, teaching the consequences of antisocial behavior.