Mythologies of Folklore & Superstition

While a Great Spirit constitutes the basis of Indian theory, the tribes believe in multiple deities surrounded by mythology. In accordance with their views of nature and spirit, they constantly appeal to these powers at every step of their lives. They hear the Great Spirit in every wind; see him in every cloud; fear him in sounds, and adore him in every place that inspires awe. While cultures and customs varied among the tribes, they all believed the universe was bound together by spirits of natural life, including animals, water, plants, the sky, and the Earth itself. Native American culture struggled to survive after the white man invaded their lives. Living through forced moves, war, starvation, diseases, and assimilation, these strong and spiritual people kept their many legends and stories alive. Passed down through the generations, these tales speak of timeless messages of peace, life, death, and harmony with nature. The sacred beliefs of many tribes are largely formulated and expressed in sayings and narratives resembling the legends of European peoples. There are available large collections of these tales and myths from the Blackfeet, Crow, Nez Perce, Assiniboine, Gros Ventre, Arapaho, Arikara, Pawnee, Omaha, Northern Shoshone, and others. In these, much interesting information can be found. Though each tribe has its own beliefs and sacred myths, many have much in common.

The Indigenous peoples of the Americas comprise numerous different cultures. Each has its own mythologies, many of which share certain themes across cultural boundaries. In North American mythologies, common themes include a close relation to nature and animals as well as belief in a Great Spirit that is conceived of in various ways. As anthropologists note, their great creation myths and sacred oral tradition in whole are comparable to the Christian Bible and scriptures of other major religions. There is no single mythology of the Native Americans in the United States, the Indigenous peoples in Canada and other peoples, but numerous different canons of traditional narratives associated with religion, ethics and beliefs. Such stories are deeply based in Nature and are rich with the symbolism of seasons, weather, plants, animals, earth, water, fire, sky, and the heavenly bodies. Common elements are the principle of an all-embracing, universal and omniscient Great Spirit, a connection to the Earth and its landscapes, a belief in a parallel world in the sky (sometimes also underground and/or below the water), diverse creation narratives, visits to the 'land of the dead', and collective memories of ancient sacred ancestors. A characteristic of many of the myths is the close relationship between human beings and animals (including birds and reptiles). They often feature shape-shifting between animal and the human form. Marriage between people and different species (particularly bears) is a common theme. In some stories, animals foster human children. Although most Native North American myths are profound and serious, some use light-hearted humor – often in the form of tricksters – to entertain, as they subtly convey important spiritual and moral messages. The use of allegory is common, exploring issues ranging from love and friendship to domestic violence and mental illness. Some myths are connected to traditional religious rituals involving dance, music, songs, and trance (e.g. the Sun Dance). Most of the myths from this region were first transcribed by ethnologists during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These sources were collected from Native American elders who still had strong connections to the traditions of their ancestors. They may be considered the most authentic surviving records of the ancient stories, and thus form the basis of the descriptions below.

Native American Superstitions: Unveiling the Mysteries of the PastIntroductionNative American culture is rich in traditions, beliefs, and superstitions that have been passed down through generations. These superstitions, deeply rooted in their spiritual practices, offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of Native Americans. In this article, we will explore some of the most intriguing Native American superstitions, shedding light on their significance and the stories behind them. The Sacred Power of the Dreamcatcher. The dreamcatcher, a widely recognized Native American symbol, is believed to protect individuals from negative dreams and spirits. It is often hung above beds or in homes to catch bad dreams in its intricate web while allowing positive dreams to pass through. Native Americans believe that the dreamcatcher holds the power to bring peace and harmony to the dreamer’s life. Native Americans believe that animals possess unique spiritual powers and can act as guardians or guides. Each animal is associated with specific qualities, such as strength, wisdom, or healing abilities. The Native American people often seek guidance from their animal spirits through rituals or visions, aiming to tap into their unique energies for support and empowerment. The medicine wheel is a powerful symbol in Native American culture, representing the interconnectedness of all living beings. It signifies the balance between the four elements – earth, air, water, and fire – and the four directions – north, south, east, and west. Native Americans believe that by aligning oneself with the medicine wheel, they can restore harmony and achieve spiritual well-being. Thunderbirds are mythical creatures that hold great significance in Native American folklore. They are believed to control the forces of nature, especially thunder and lightning. Native Americans see thunderbirds as divine protectors, warding off evil spirits and bringing good fortune. Their image can often be found in traditional Native American artwork, symbolizing strength and power.

When people think about Native American culture, they sometimes assume it is a unified belief system, but this is far from true. Native American beliefs are rooted in the natural world and reflect the geography of the place where they live. With tribes and nations spread across North America, there is a lot of diversity in geography and thought. Such diversity can be clearly observed in the narratives handed down through the generations by Native Americans. Stories transmitted by oral tradition encompass many aspects of the culture, natural and supernatural—creation myths, hero tales, cautionary warnings, and family histories, to name a few. This minibibliography brings together the traditional stories, legends, and myths passed on by Native Americans to their descendants. Native American tales of the Lenape people, who were indigenous to New Jersey and its bordering states. The legends tell of magic dogs, lost children, and heroes. The title story depicts a white deer that can give game to hunters or can protect game by killing the hunters. For junior and senior high readers. A long time ago, the earth was new, and the people had no light. A great chief hid the sun, the moon, and the stars in three wooden boxes. Raven grew tired of the darkness and angry that the chief kept the light from Earth's people. This is a tale of how Raven tricks the chief out of the boxes, and gains black feathers in the process. Adapted from an Alaskan Tlingit Indian legend. Along the Pacific Northwest coast, Raven is the central character in the myths and legends of Native Americans. In this tale, Raven, feeling sad for the men and women living in the dark and cold, devises a clever plan to steal the sun from the Sky Chief to bring light and warmth to the people.

In the sunbaked expanse of Arizona, where the Verde and Salt Rivers carve their way through the land, there rests a trove of tales as old as the rivers themselves. The Pima Indians, indigenous to these parts, have been the custodians of a rich tapestry of myths that speak to the very essence of human nature. Among these is a legend that stands as a testament to their spiritual and cultural beliefs—the tale of the Ark on Superstition Mountain. This narrative is not merely a story; it is a chronicle of creation, folly, and prophecy that has been whispered through the generations. It is a tale that intertwines the fates of men with the whims of gods, and the very forces of nature. As we peer into this legend, let us tread softly, for we are walking on the hallowed ground of the Pima’s most sacred beliefs, where the echoes of the past still resonate with a profound and timeless truth. It is a testament to the enduring power of myth to convey the deepest truths of the human experience, and a call to remember the lessons of the past as we navigate the complexities of the present and the uncertainties of the future.

Legends of strange beasts and paranormal creatures come from all corners of the Earth’s folklore, and Native American cultures are no exception. In fact, their mythologies are rich in powerful and fearsome animals that permeate their legends and oral traditions. “By and large, Native Americans transmit culture, history, values, hopes, and dreams through what they say and do,” wrote Sam D. Gill and Irene F. Sullivan in Dictionary of Native American Mythology. “The mythology and ritual are the heart, the lifeblood, of every Native American culture.”

Folklore consists of legends, music, art, oral history, proverbs, popular beliefs, fairy tales, stories, tall tales, and customs that are the traditions of a culture or group. Often, there is a link between folklore and mythology, and it could easily include our other legend categories, such as strange creatures, ghosts, and witches. American folklore encompasses folk traditions that have evolved since Europeans arrived in the 16th century, as well as Native American myths and legends. Many stories and tall tales are based on real-life historical figures, such as Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, while others are pure fiction, such as Paul Bunyan and the Lone Ranger. Some narratives are born of exaggeration, others were created to help make sense of aspects of the world not understood at the time, and others to shape society’s ideals. Folktales are generally passed down from one generation to another and often take on the characteristics of the time and place in which they are told. They also often speak to universal and timeless themes. Many of these stories have contributed to the shaping of American culture and belief systems. Superstitions are similar to folklore in that they are often passed down from generation to generation and have their basis in tales that date back centuries. Logically, superstition is irrational, but still, we cross our fingers, avoid walking under ladders, pick up a penny for luck, and avoid making commitments on Friday the 13th. Over the years, superstitions have developed from ignorance, misunderstandings of science, fear of the unknown, and beliefs in magic and folklore. Early on, superstitions were often tied to religion and the supernatural and stem from the same human trait that causes us to believe in monsters and ghosts. However, studies have found that superstitions can sometimes work because believing in something can improve performance.