In Native American mythology, specifically that of the Shawnee, the Kinepikwa (also called the Msi-Kinepikwa) was a large snake which was slain and its body was cut into enough pieces to give each person in the tribe a piece, which was to serve as an amulet or talisman. Kinepikwa served as the source of many medicines and bundles. Msi-Kinepikwa means “great reptile” in Shawnee.