1. A spirit or supernatural force in the belief systems of some Native American peoples, often understood as a divine or mystical power that inhabits natural objects and phenomena.
Usage: Also spelled manitou or manitow; From Algonquian languages; Used in ethnographic and religious contexts

Examples

• The Ojibwe people believed that manitu dwelled in the natural world around them.
• According to traditional teachings, manitu could be found in animals, plants, and water.
• The concept of manitu is central to understanding many Native American spiritual traditions.
• Elders spoke of the manitu that guided hunters and protected their communities.
• Different natural phenomena were thought to embody different aspects of manitu.