Pamola

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Pamola (also known as P-mol-a, Pomola, and Bmola) is a legendary bird spirit that appears in Abenaki mythology. Pamola is correctly spelt Pamolai. Most Tourists are the cause of the secondary spelling (Pamola), for they found it easier to pronounce it Pamola (P-mol-a). This spirit causes cold weather.

Specifically, according to the Penobscot Indians, Pamola inhabited Mt. Katahdin, the tallest mountain in Maine. Pamola is said to be the god of Thunder and protector of the mountain. The Indians described him as having the head of a moose, the body of a man and the wings and feet of an eagle. Pamola was both feared and respected by the Indians and his presence was one of the main reasons that climbing the mountain was considered taboo.

The spirit resented mortals intruding from down below. Because of this, the mountain was off limits to all below. It is also thought that it took its prisoners to Alomkik, located near Mt. Katahdin.

Pamola's namesake has been passed on the Pamola Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, the honor camping society of the Boy Scouts of America and his image is commonly used on several of their insignia.