Native American
Myths
• A simple definition of a myth is “a
story handed down through history,
often through oral tradition, that
explains or gives value to the
unknown”.
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All generations of
man have asked how,
why, when, and
where.
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• Naturally curious, when answers are not readily
available, we try to figure them out for
ourselves.
• What is lightning, what makes a volcano erupt,
why are there tidal waves, how was the world
created?
Why Myths?
• People have always tried to figure
out common questions like who
made the universe or questions like
what causes a storm.
• Religion, gods, and myths were
created when people tried to make
sense out of these questions.
• For early people myths were like
science because they explain how
things work. They also explained
other questions that are now
answered through modern science.
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• Myths are often stories told by a particular people such as
Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and others. They
are especially linked to religious beliefs and rituals.
• A myth is a story with a purpose. It tries to explain the way
the world is.
• Myths also try to explain the relationship between gods and
humans.
• Even though the events in a myth are usually impossible,
they try to send a message that has an important social or
religious meaning.
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reationwomen.html
Myths as a
Teaching Tool
• Myths were used to teach
humans behavior that helped
people live in concert with one
another.
• Mythical gods certainly had some
strange and not acceptable
behavior, yet stories often
demonstrated such topics as the
need for hospitality (tale of
Philemon and Baucis) or the need
to keep pride in check
(Narcissus). In the eyes of the
gods, excessive pride, or hubris,
was the worst offense and
deserved the worst punishment.
(Niobe story)
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Folktales
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• Many Native American myths
could equally be called
folktales: they seem to be
about ordinary people, not
gods. However, the Native
American attitude is that
everything is animated by
divinity. Hence ordinary
people, animals and places
are divine.
• Often the people are not even
named, or are given a
convenient tag, such as
Rabbit Boy – raised by
rabbits. Nor is there much
attempt to characterize them.
Universal principles are held
to be more important than
individual traits.
• Myths, then, are stories about certain characters -- gods,
goddesses, men, women, and, especially, heroes. The
Native North American cultures did not have a written
language. Instead, a group’s history, legends, and myths
were entrusted to memory and faithfully passed from
generation to generation through oral tradition.
• In this oral tradition, stories often became distorted so that,
in reading mythologies today, there are often variations in
the same story. The moral however remains the same.
In the words of one Native American holy
woman, “When you write things
down you don’t have to remember them. But
for us it is different. . . . [A]ll
that we are, all that we have ever been, all the
great names of our heroes and
their songs and deeds are alive within each of
us. . . living in our blood.”
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Characteristics of Native
American Mythology
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• deeply based in Nature
• rich with the symbolism of seasons,
weather, plants, animals, earth, water,
sky and fire.
• The idea of an all powerful Great Spirit,
a connection to the Earth, diverse
creation narratives and collective
memories of ancient ancestors are
common.
• Traditional worship practices are often
a part of tribal gatherings with dance,
rhythm, songs and trance.
• trickster stories are common
• Trickster tales are a type of
folk tale that features an
animal or human character
who typically engages in
deceit, violence, and magic.
Often, trickster tales are
mythic, explaining how some
aspect of human nature or
the natural world came to be.
Tricksters are archetypal
characters—character types that
can be found in literary works from
different cultures throughout the
ages. A trickster is full of
contradictions and may appear to
be heroic and greedy, devious and
kind, or foolish and clever.
TRICKSTER
TALES
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CREATION MYTHS
• A myth is a traditional story,
usually involving supernatural
beings or events, that explains how
some aspect of human nature or
the natural world came to be.
• A creation myth is a specific kind
of myth that typically:
– describes how the universe, earth,
and life began
– explains the workings of the natural
world
– supports and validates social customs
and values
– guides people through the trials of
living
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ation.html
Some Traditional NATIVE
AMERICAN: ANIMAL SYMBOLS
•
Please note that this is general animal symbolism and may vary by tribe.
Alligator: Symbolizes stealth and a fight for survival.
Ant: Symbolizes group effort, teamwork and overall perseverance.
Badger: Symbolizes aggressiveness, passion and drive.
Bat: The bat is the guardian of the night.
Bear: The bear is the protector and symbolizes physical strength and leadership.
Bear Paw: The paw is a symbol of direction and power.
Beaver: The beaver is best known as a hunter and gatherer.
Buffalo: The buffalo provides the good things for those living as well as sacredness.
Butterfly: The butterfly is a transformer and a symbol of metamorphosis.
Cougar: The cougar stands for power, leadership, and swiftness.
Coyote: Sometimes considered an omen that bad things could happen. Is also considered a
trickster.
Crane: The crane is a symbol of solitude and independence.
Deer: Symbolizes speed and family protection.
Dolphin: The dolphin is a symbol of kindness, but has the nature to be playful.
Dragonfly: He is often considered a messenger.
Eagle: Often considered the protector, carrier of prayers, visions & spirits.
Elk: The elk is an animal of nobility, power, freedom, and great strength and agility.
Fox: The fox is very a cunning, intelligent, and providing animal.
Frog: Symbolizes renewal, fertility & springtime.
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Sources
http://www.dl.ket.org/latin1/mythology/whatisa.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002356F/myth.htm
http://www.gods-heros-myth.com/namain.html
http://www.motherearthbeats.com/wp-content/themes/the%20hobbit/images/weatherindian3.jpg
http://www.crystalinks.com/namcreationwomen.html
http://www.crystalinks.com/nativeamcreation.html
http://www.randystory.com/native_american_werewolf.jpg
http://www.randystory.com/mythology_page.htm
http://www.motherearthbeats.com/wp-content/themes/the%20hobbit/images/weatherindian3.jpg
McDougal Littell Literature: Grade 11, Literature of the Americas
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