native american creation myth essay

Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Native American — An Overview of Native American Creation Myths

An Overview of Native American Creation Myths

• Categories: Native American

About this sample

Words: 1346 |

Published: Aug 1, 2022

Words: 1346 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

• Expert in: Sociology

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 863 words

3 pages / 1328 words

3 pages / 1386 words

1 pages / 1139 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Native American

Philip Deloria’s book “Playing Indian” provides a thought-provoking analysis of the phenomenon of non-Native Americans adopting Native American cultural practices and identities. Deloria argues that this practice is not simply a [...]

The Sioux, also known as the Dakota or Lakota, are a Native American tribe with a rich and complex history. Their culture, traditions, and way of life have been shaped by centuries of resilience and adaptation to the changing [...]

“My Father’s Song” is a poem by Simon J. Ortiz that delves into the relationship between the speaker and his father, as well as the speaker’s connection to his Native American heritage. The poem explores themes of tradition, [...]

In Chapter 4 of the book "Mexicanos: A History of Mexicans in the United States," the author Manuel G. Gonzales presents a comprehensive overview of the Mexican-American experience during the 20th century. This chapter focuses [...]

The understanding of the readers is dependent on the manner in which they interpret the symbols used in literary works. Symbolism is a literary device which entails the conveying of specific themes and messages through symbols. [...]

Smoke Signals is a film that beautifully captures the complexities of Native American identity and the universal themes of forgiveness and healing. Directed by Chris Eyre and written by Sherman Alexie, the film tells the story [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Explore the Mystery of Native American Creation Myths

• Seeking Truth
• Ancient Origins
• Origin Of Men

Where did we come from?

Ideas and theories about the beginning of the world run the gamut, with different cultures, groups, and religions offering creation stories or myths, and explanations of how different parts of the world came to be.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating of these groups is the Native Americans. Across the board, Native American cultures offer many creation legends, many of which involve sacred caves or underground tunnels .

As we explore the stories offered by Native Americans as to the beginnings of everything, we also wind deeper into the Earth itself.

The Apache have several myths about creation that involve both gods and animals.

In one myth , Tepeu and Quetzalcoatl think everything into being. Essentially, their thoughts become reality, so they think everything from mountains to trees and the sky into reality. However, when they discovered these creations couldn’t praise them, they made others out of clay and wood. When these beings caused havoc on the world, the gods sent a great flood to wipe them out and start over.

Another of the Apache myths describes the beginning as an awakening of sorts, with darkness turning to light through the actions of a small, bearded man, the One Who Lives Above. They say by rubbing his face and hands, he created the Sun-God, Big Dipper, Wind, and Lightning-Rumbler, to name a few.

Then, after the gods united through a handshake, the Creator directed them to pull a brown ball that had dropped from his hands in all directions to form the Earth, and with the hummingbird’s guidance, placed four cardinal points on the Earth to make it still.

While the Hopi have multiple legends , perhaps one of the most intriguing involves the Ant People, who are credited with saving the Hopi not once, but twice.

The so-called “First World” was destroyed by fire — be it an ejection from the sun, volcanic eruption, or asteroid strike, and the “Second World” was destroyed by ice — perhaps glaciers or a pole shift. In both instances, Hopi legends say the tribe was guided during the day by an odd-shaped cloud, and during the night by a moving star. These guides led them to a sky god named Sotuknang, who took them to the Ant People.

It was in the aforementioned subterranean caves that the Hopi found refuge during the global cataclysms occurring above. In this legend, the Ant People are seen as generous and hardworking, giving the Hopi food and teaching them about food storage when they needed it most.

Interestingly, the Babylonian sky god was named “Anu,” also the Hopi word for “ant.” “Naki” is the Hopi root word for friends. So, the Hopi Anu-naki, or “ant friends” may have some correlation with the Sumerian Annunaki .

Such sacred caves are also a theme in Sioux legends, regarding a location in the Wind Cave National Park , in South Dakota.

In this legend, the Sioux feared a cave that had wind blowing in and out of it — they believed a breathing giant lived inside , and the giant invoked the providence of the Great Spirit.

However, one curious medicine man is said to have seen a vision from a young Indian maiden, telling him she was the immortal buffalo lady from under the Earth. She told the medicine man to tell the others the cave was a sacred place, and people should come and drop offerings and tokens, which would gain them great herds of buffalo.

The Lakota version of events starts with adultery.

In their version of events, Inktomi, the spider trickster, causes a riff between the Sun God Takushkanshkan and his wife, the Moon. Their separation created time. While previously, the gods had lived in heaven, Inktomi and his co-conspirators were exiled to live with the cultureless humans who inhabited Earth.

Upon arrival, Inktomi travels underground to meet where humanity lived , and convinces Tokahe (“the first”) to come to the surface. He emerges from the Wind Cave to find a beautiful place, so he convinces other families to come up.

Tokahe soon figures out he was duped , as “buffalo are scarce, the weather has turned bad, and they find themselves starving.” To make matters worse, he and the other families who settled there cannot return to their home underground, and so must eke out an existence on the surface of the Earth.

Finally, the Cherokee also have several myths that explain the beginnings of the Earth.

In one myth, a great island floated in an ocean, attached to four thick ropes from the sky, which was rock. Because everything was dark, the animals could not see. The Great Spirit told the animals to stay awake for seven days and nights, but most of them couldn’t. However, the plants that stayed awake were able to stay green all year, and the animals that were able to stay awake such as the owl and mountain lion could also go about in the dark.

Another story describes everything being water, and the animals living above it and the sky being overcrowded. One day, a water beetle named Dayuni’si volunteered to explore underwater and found mud he brought back to the surface. He brought back so much mud he created the Earth. As the Earth hardened, they pulled a sun out from behind the rainbow and placed it high in the sky to light the path.

In both of these legends, the animals came first , and the humans second.

Exploring the Connections Between Native American Legends

Without a doubt, the stories and legends behind the beginning of the world vary greatly depending on the Native American tribe attached to them.

However, many of the similarities and links among the stories bring about questions and curiosities about what might lie inside the Earth , and how it affected the creation of the world as we know it today.

Want more like this article? Don’t miss Ancient Civilizations on Gaia to journey through humanity’s suppressed origins and examine the secret code left behind by our ancestors.

About the Author

Next Article

Human 'Hobbit' Ancestor May Still Be Alive in Indonesian Jungles

Could an ancient human species still be alive deep in the forests of Indonesia? An award-winning anthropologist thinks that might be the case.

On the Indonesian island of Flores, some locals tell tales of an animal that is like a human but is not human. Some say they are extinct, others claim to have seen them with their own eyes. Anthropologist Gregory Forth, who lived with and studied the people of the island for decades, calls this creature the “Apeman.” 

For years it was an interesting story, but as many anthropologists will tell you, stories like this are often allegory or a way to explain the natural world. But in 2004, the anthropological world was shaken when the “hobbit” skeleton was found. This was a tiny species of hominin. A rebuilt skeleton stands at just 3’7,” but apparently lived at the same time as early modern humans.

The tale of the relationship between oral histories and the fossils, dubbed Homo floresiensis , is the subject of Forth’s new book, “ Between Ape and Human .”

Forth, now retired, was a professor of anthropology at the University of Alberta for more than three decades. He first heard of the “Apeman” from the “Lio” people of Flores in the 1980s.

But what about this story sounded like it might be true?  

“It’s the way that people were describing them as animals, as a kind of animal — not human beings by the way, the distinction is very important for them as it is for most people. But at the same time they’re beings that walked erect unlike any other animal, and otherwise looked humanlike, although they were very small (or they are very small), and somewhat hairier.”  

The video streaming platform exploring Ancient Origins , and Origin Of Men

Related Articles

More In Ancient Origins

Body. Mind. Spirit.

Our unique blend of yoga, meditation, personal transformation, and alternative healing content is designed for those seeking to not just enhance their physical, spiritual, and intellectual capabilities, but to fuse them in the knowledge that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts.

Watch On Any Device

Use the same account and membership for TV, desktop, and all mobile devices. Plus you can download videos to your device to watch offline later.

Discover what Gaia has to offer.

Get instant access to free videos, helpful articles, and exclusive offers.

Username or Email

Forgot password.

Enter your email address and we'll send you a link to reset your password.

A link to reset your password has been sent to you.

Your Privacy Matters at Gaia!

At Gaia, Inc., we care about your privacy, and we want to be totally upfront about how we handle your information at Gaia. 

We use cookies. Unless you adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, we (and these third parties) will issue cookies when you interact with Gaia. These may be ‘session’ cookies, meaning they delete themselves when you leave Gaia, or ‘persistent’ cookies which do not delete themselves and help us recognize you when you return so we can provide a tailored service.

You can block cookies by activating a setting on your browser allowing you to refuse the setting of cookies. You can also delete cookies through your browser settings. If you use your browser settings to disable, reject, or block cookies (including essential cookies), certain parts of our website or app will not function fully. In some cases, our website or app may not be accessible at all.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Gaia only uses and collects sensitive personal information for the purposes allowed by law or with your consent.

We do not sell or provide email addresses to any unauthorized third party and do not authorize any third party or affiliate to misuse products or services created by or associated with Gaia in spam or bulk emails. If you feel you have received any unwanted emails from us, please contact us immediately and we will look into the matter.

If you have a question regarding our privacy practices, please refer to our Privacy Policy .

Exploring Native American Creation Myths

Writing stories of mythical proportions.

• 0.1 Key Takeaways:
• 1.1 The Great Flood – A Lesson in Harmony
• 1.2 Elements of the Ojibwe Creation Story
• 2 The Cherokee Creation Story
• 3 The Salinan Creation Story
• 4 Conclusion
• 5.1 What are Native American creation myths?
• 5.2 What are some examples of Native American creation stories?
• 5.3 What is the Ojibwe creation story?
• 5.4 What is the Cherokee creation story?
• 5.5 What is the Salinan creation story?
• 6 Source Links

As I delve into the captivating world of Native American creation myths , I am transported to a realm steeped in mysticism, folklore, and ancient wisdom. These tribal creation stories form the bedrock of indigenous cosmology , offering profound insights into the spiritual beliefs and traditions of Native American tribes. Join me on this enlightening journey as we unravel the origins of the world and the beings that inhabit it through the lens of Native American mythology.

Key Takeaways:

• Native American creation myths are steeped in mythology, folklore, and ancient wisdom.
• These stories vary across tribes but often share common themes and features.
• Indigenous cosmology is deeply rooted in these creation myths, offering insights into the spiritual beliefs of Native American tribes.
• Exploring these mythologies allows us to better understand the cultural heritage and traditions of Native American peoples.
• Themes of harmony, balance, and the consequences of human actions are prominent in these creation stories.

The Ojibwe Creation Story

In the Ojibwe creation story , the world came into existence through the powerful presence of Gitchi Manitou , the Creator. Gitchi Manitou fashioned plants, animals, and humans in their own likeness, gifting them with life and placing them upon the Earth. However, the initial harmony began to wither as humanity succumbed to disharmony within themselves and with the natural world.

To purify the Earth and restore balance, Gitchi Manitou decreed a cleansing Great Flood . The deluge washed away all beings, leaving only Wenebojo , a semi-divine being, as the sole survivor. In the epic flood saga, Wenebojo played a pivotal role by defeating an evil spirit and inadvertently triggering the cataclysm. This narrative intricately weaves together themes of individual responsibility, consequence, and the significance of preserving harmony with the world around us.

The Ojibwe creation story highlights the profound importance of living in harmony with nature and the consequences that arise from straying away from balance.

The Great Flood – A Lesson in Harmony

The Great Flood , as detailed in the Ojibwe creation story , serves as both a cautionary tale and a lesson in the significance of maintaining symbiosis with the Earth and its inhabitants. The narrative underscores the consequences that arise from mistreating the natural world and those around us, urging individuals to strive for unity and balance in their lives.

Gitchi Manitou’s decision to employ a catastrophic flood underscores the gravity of disharmony and the need for equilibrium. The survival of Wenebojo , the semi-divine being, symbolizes the potential renewal that arises when one adheres to the principles of interconnectedness and respect for nature.

Elements of the Ojibwe Creation Story

The Ojibwe creation story is characterized by its vibrant characters and vivid imagery, capturing the essence of a people deeply in tune with the natural world. Here are some key elements of this rich cultural myth:

• Gitchi Manitou: The Creator who forms the world and populates it with plants, animals, and humans.
• Wenebojo: The semi-divine survivor of the Great Flood , whose actions inadvertently trigger the calamity.
• The Great Flood: A cataclysmic event intended to restore balance to a world plagued by disharmony.

The Ojibwe creation story serves as a testament to the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world, emphasizing the significance of living in harmony and the repercussions of forsaking those principles.

The Cherokee Creation Story

The Cherokee creation story holds profound wisdom about the origin of our world and the intricate relationship between humans, nature, and the divine. According to this ancient legend, Earth was a floating island suspended in the vast sea, held up by ropes attached to the sky.

Before the Earth’s creation, all animals resided in the Sky World , above the celestial arch. The Creator, known as the One Who Lives Above, carefully crafted a small ball of earth and placed it on the back of a divine turtle. It was upon this turtle’s sturdy foundation that the template for life on Earth began to unfold.

Animals eagerly volunteered to dive deep into the waters, seeking mud to form the land. However, it was the humble muskrat who triumphantly resurfaced, clutching a sufficient amount of mud in its tiny paws. This victorious act paved the way for the emergence of land, rivers, plants, and animals.

A remarkable character in the Cherokee creation narrative is Grandmother Moon , the divine lunar figurehead who illuminates our nights. Standing as the guardian of the celestial domain, Grandmother Moon blesses the Earth with her gentle radiance, guiding us through darkness and adorning the sky with beauty.

The story of the Cherokee creation myth carries deep cultural significance, explaining the interconnectedness of all living beings and the divine forces that govern our existence. It reveals the reverence and appreciation the Cherokee people hold for the natural world, recognizing it as the creation of the sacred One Who Lives Above.

The Salinan Creation Story

In the Salinan creation story , the world was created by the Bald Eagle , who was the chief of the animals. The Bald Eagle formed the first man out of clay and let him grow on the ground. When the man was fully grown, the Bald Eagle created a woman out of one of his own feathers to be his mate. The man and the woman were tested by the Coyote to ensure their readiness for each other. The Bald Eagle is seen as an important figure in the creation myth, as he is the creator of humankind. The story emphasizes the connection between animals and humans and the importance of harmony in the natural world.

Native American creation myths form an integral part of the captivating native American folklore . These mythologies reveal the cultural and spiritual beliefs of various native American tribes, providing a glimpse into their profound connection with the natural world. The tribal legends convey profound themes of harmony, balance, and the consequences of human actions, echoing the tribes’ deep respect for the environment and the interdependence of all living beings.

Exploring the diverse narratives of native American tribes offers a profound understanding of their unique mythologies and cultural heritage. Each tribe has its own captivating creation story, reflecting their distinct traditions and values passed down through generations. These tribal legends offer a mesmerizing portal into the ancient wisdom and worldview of indigenous peoples.

Through the lens of native American mythology, we discover the intricate tapestry of the human experience, interwoven with nature, spirituality, and ancestral legacies. Native American creation myths serve as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all existence and the profound wisdom held within the traditions of indigenous communities.

What are Native American creation myths?

Native American creation myths are stories and narratives that explain the origins of the world and the beings that inhabit it. These myths vary across different tribes and cultures but often share common themes and features.

What are some examples of Native American creation stories?

Some examples of Native American creation stories include the Ojibwe creation story, the Cherokee creation story , and the Salinan creation story . These stories provide insight into the cultural and spiritual beliefs of indigenous peoples.

What is the Ojibwe creation story?

The Ojibwe creation story tells of Gitchi Manitou, the Creator, who made plants, animals, and people in his own image and placed them on Earth. It also discusses the great flood sent by Gitchi Manitou to cleanse the Earth and the role of Wenebojo, a semi-divine being, in the flood story.

What is the Cherokee creation story?

The Cherokee creation story explains that the Earth was originally a floating island on the sea. It details how the Creator, the One Who Lives Above, made a small ball of earth and placed it on the turtle’s back to create land. The story also mentions the creation of Grandmother Moon , who provides light during the night.

What is the Salinan creation story?

The Salinan creation story tells how the Bald Eagle, chief of the animals, created the first man out of clay and formed a woman out of one of his own feathers to be his mate. The story also mentions the Coyote testing the man and the woman to ensure their readiness for each other.

Source Links

• https://chnm.gmu.edu/exploring/pre_18thcentury/creationstories/pop_sioux.html
• https://vanburenela.weebly.com/uploads/8/7/4/9/8749804/native_american_creation_stories.pdf
• https://study.com/academy/lesson/native-american-creation-myths.html

Unleashing Humor with Greek Mythology Memes

Diana Goddess: Divine Mythology & Worship

Thank you for visiting!

© 2023 Mythosaurus

Creationism, Evolution, & Origin Stories: Indigenous Origin Stories

• Big Bang Theory
• Creationism
• Fossil Record
• Indigenous Origin Stories
• Natural Selection
• ABORIGINAL HISTORY (60,000 BP-1605 C.E.) As do other religions, Aboriginal religion has a body of myth contained in its creation stories, rules and prohibitions to follow, and a series of rituals that bring the myths to life. Religious rituals, regardless of the tradition in which they originate, are about regularly enacting the sacred moments of the believers’ history. For example, Christians partake in communion to reenact the last supper, when the apostles gave life to Jesus despite the sacrifice of his body on Earth. Aboriginal rituals likewise reenact the most important moments in the lives of their sacred ancestors as a way of connecting past and present. Rituals also provide moments for younger Aboriginal people to learn from their elders the words to songs, the moves to dances, the beat to songs, and the power of the ancestors in the past and present world.
• Native American Creation Myths Native American creation myths speak about origins. They are myths because they are imaginative stories that present events that took place at the beginning. They often relate how the world took shape, how a people were led to their own special place, and how humans, animals, plants, the stars, and all the variety of creatures in general or in particular came to be just as they are. Typically, they start out with the world and living creatures already in existence. Many of these stories have been written down and translated into English, often without indicating the narrator, his or her style, the audience response, and other circumstantial events. In this way the reader is already distanced from the stories themselves. Furthermore, to a reader more familiar with European storytelling and Greek and Roman myths, Native American creation myths are difficult because the reader's cultural expectations differ from those of the people whose stories are being told. Surprisingly, some of these stories are very long, the equivalent of hundreds of pages, while others are quite short. Although now in print, to be read at any time, some of these stories traditionally could be recited only during a certain season and at a certain time of day. Some are regarded as so sacred that it is questionable whether they should be collected in anthologies at all. Principally gathered by ethnographers, anthropologists, and Christian missionaries, the stories have become available in a wide range of publications. This may be fortunate for Indian and non-Indian alike. For the Native American, stories that have been lost in their own traditions have nevertheless been preserved, often in their original languages. For the non-Indian, the Indian perspective provides an alternative way of thinking about what is important for human beings. For readers accustomed to the stories in the Bible, these Native American creation stories are full of surprises.

Credo Reference is an easy-to-use tool for starting research. Gather background information on your topic from hundreds of full-text encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri, quotations, and subject-specific titles, as well as 500,000+ images and audio files and over 1,000 videos.

Learn more about Credo Reference using the resources below:

Search Tips

View our tip sheet for information on how to locate materials in this database. View our Credo Reference Research Guide to learn more about navigating this database. 

More Places to Search

Explore our General Resources for Research: Multidisciplinary Databases research guide for additional resources. 

Perspectives

Diné Bahane' : The Navajo Creation Story

This is the most complete version of the Navajo creation story to appear in English since Washington Matthews' Navajo Legends of 1847. Zolbrod's new translation renders the power and delicacy of the oral storytelling performance on the page through a poetic idiom appropriate to the Navajo oral tradition. Zolbrod's book offers the general reader a vivid introduction to Navajo culture. For students of literature this book proposes a new way of looking at our literary heritage.

Creation Myths of the World

The most comprehensive resource available on creation myths from around the world their narratives, themes, motifs, similarities, and differences and what they reveal about their cultures of origin."

Maya Creation Myths

There is no Classical Yucatecan Maya word for "myth." But around the close of the seventeenth century, an anonymous Maya scribe penned what he called u kahlay cab tu kinil, "the world history of the era," before Christianity came to the Peten. He collected numerous accounts of the cyclical destruction and reestablishment of the cosmos; the origins of gods, human beings, and the rituals and activities upon which their relationship depends; and finally the dawn of the sun and the sacred calendar Maya diviners still use today to make sense of humanity's place in the otherwise inscrutable march of time. These creation myths eventually became part of the documents known today as the Books of Chilam Balam. Maya Creation Myths provides not only new and outstanding translations of these myths but also an interpretive journey through these often misunderstood texts, providing insight into Maya cosmology and how Maya intellectuals met the challenge of the European clergy's attempts to eradicate their worldviews. Unlike many scholars who focus primarily on traces of pre-Hispanic culture or Christian influence within the Books of Chilam Balam, Knowlton emphasizes the diversity of Maya mythic traditions and the uniquely Maya discursive strategies that emerged in the Colonial period. This book will be of significant interest to Maya scholars, folklorists, and historians, as well as students and scholars of religion, cosmology, and anthropology.

China's Creation and Origin Myths

How did the world begin? How were the first people created and which specific roles were they supposed to play in the cosmos? Like other mythologies worldwide, China’s creation and origin myths explain how man created order out of chaos and imposed culture on nature. Cross-cultural approaches to myth make us aware of the limitations of our own familiar classifications. This book makes a provocative case for the comparative study of the hidden treasures of China’s oral and written myth traditions in different languages and cultures, a legacy generously left behind by singers, storytellers, poets, and writers. This book opens new doors to the study of Chinese mythologies, a surprising and so far almost unknown world outside China

The Origins of Mississippian Culture

Learn more about Kanopy using the resources below:

Embed/Link Videos

To embed a Kanopy video, click on the Share button. You will be given both the embed code and permalink (stable URL) You will paste that code/link within the learning management system or webpage. 

Other Media Options

McKee Library boasts a large collection of physical and streaming media titles. DVDs, VHS, and select streaming films are searchable on the library's catalog. Learn more on our website. 

Global Creation Stories

Learn more about Films on Demand using the resources below:

To embed a Films video, click on the  Share button, followed by  Embed/Link.  You will be given both the embed code and permalink (stable URL) You will paste that code/link within the learning management system or webpage. 

Mayan Myths and Gods

Online articles.

• The Ch’orti’ Maya Myths of Creation Hull, Kerry The article offers information on the myths created by the Ch'orti' Maya peoples. Topics discussed include Ch'orti' people are primarily subsistence farmers, Ch'orti' language is part of the Eastern Branch of Ch'olan Mayan languages; and folktales, legends, jokes, and myths are the oral tradition of Ch'orti' Maya peoples.
• Creation Myth and the Prometheus Myth in Fulgentius The article deals with such element of the Prometheus myth as creation of humans from clay. This variation of the creation myth is present in such early sources as Hesiod and Aesop and in such classical ancient sources as Ovid and Properce; yet overall, it is rare. In late Antiquity, the plot becomes more popular (Pausanias, Hygin, Lucian). Sometimes, Hephaestus replaces Prometheus; sometimes the myth comes together with the Pandora myth, but the moment of animating a clay figure is usually vaguely described. The essay specifically focuses on Mythologies by Fulgentius (5–6 AD): both his narration and interpretation of the myth are rather unique. Fulgentius presents contamination of previous versions (such as stealing the fire from gods and giving it to humans; ascent to heaven; creation of humans from clay; Athena’s help; Pandora; punishment for stealing fire etc). Of particular interest is the stealing of the fire motif: in this version, Prometheus wants to animate humans with the help of fire instead of helping the humankind. The essay examines the etymology of Prometheus’s name and the allegory of the hawk in Fulgentius and pays special attention to the philosophical meaning of the fire that brings humans to life.
• The Mande Creation Myth, by Germaine Dieterlen, as a Historical Source for the Mali Empire This article proposes a new reading for Germaine Dieterlen's classic text “The Mande Creation Myth,” and presents it as evidence for Kangaba's prominent military role as ruler of the Niger and defender of the gold mines that for centuries provided the wealth of the Mali Empire. It is demonstrated that, although Dieterlen was in search of a unified cosmology, her informants in Kangaba provided answers that voiced Kangaba's military concerns and claims as political heir of the medieval Mali Empire and ruler of the River Niger. The starting point of the analysis are new insights on how creation is envisioned in the West African savannah, with an emphasis on termite mounds, earth, and blacksmiths. These insights are compared to the fieldwork data that Dieterlen collected in 1953-55, which she used in 1955 for a publication on the Kamabolon ceremony in Kangaba and, under strikingly different personal circumstances, in 1957 in the article “The Mande Creation Myth.” The article explains why Dieterlen herself nor other researchers have never been able to reproduce neither her 1953-55 findings nor her 1957 findings by pointing to Kangaba's raised prestige as a major historical site for a new Republic of Mali, which had acquired independence in 1960. Kangaba's new position replaced the earlier focus on military rule on the Niger and defense of gold mines (in what had become the Republic of Guinée in 1958). This argument is substantiated by a recently discovered contemporary report of the 1961 Kamabolon ceremony, written by a leading contemporary intellectual, Mambi Sidibé.

Nunavik Creation Stories

• << Previous: Fossil Record
• Next: Natural Selection >>
• Last Updated: May 31, 2023 2:59 PM
• URL: https://southern.libguides.com/originstories

Legends of America

Traveling through american history, destinations & legends since 2003., cherokee legend – how the world was made.

By Katharine Berry Judson in 1913

Standing at the Pool of Creation courtesy Guthrie Studios.

The earth is a great floating island in a sea of water. At each of the four corners, there is a cord hanging down from the sky. The sky is of solid rock. When the world grows old and worn out, the cords will break, and then the earth will sink down into the ocean. Everything will be water again. All the people will be dead. The Indians are much afraid of this.

In the long time ago, when everything was all water, all the animals lived up above in Galun’lati, beyond the stone arch that made the sky. But it was very much crowded. All the animals wanted more room. The animals began to wonder what was below the water, and at last, Beaver’s grandchild, little Water Beetle, offered to go and find out. Water Beetle darted in every direction over the surface of the water, but it could find no place to rest.

There was no land at all. Then Water Beetle dived to the bottom of the water and brought up some soft mud. This began to grow and spread out on every side until it became the island which we call the earth. Afterward, this earth was fastened to the sky with four cords, but no one remembers who did this.

At first, the earth was flat and soft and wet. The animals were anxious to get down, and they sent out different birds to see if it was yet dry, but there was no place to alight, so the birds came back to Galun’lati. Then, at last, it seemed to be time again, so they sent out Buzzard; they told him to go and make ready for them. This was the Great Buzzard, the father of all the buzzards we see now.

View of North Carolina and Tennessee from Newfound Gap, Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

He flew all over the earth, low down near the ground, and it was still soft. When he reached the Cherokee country, he was very tired; his wings began to flap and strike the ground. There was a valley wherever they struck the earth; whenever the wings turned upwards again, there was a mountain. When the animals above saw this, they were afraid that the whole world would be mountains, so they called him back, but the Cherokee country remains full of mountains to this day. [ This was the original home in North Carolina .]

When the earth was dry, and the animals came down, it was still dark. Therefore they got the sun and set it on a track to go every day across the island from east to west, just overhead. It was too hot this way. Red Crawfish had his shell scorched a bright red so that his meat was spoiled. Therefore, the Cherokee do not eat it.

Then the medicine men raised the sun a handsbreadth in the air, but it was still too hot. They raised it another time, and then another time; at last, they had raised it seven handsbreadths so that it was just under the sky arch. Then it was right, and they left it so. That is why the medicine men called the high place ” the seventh height.” Every day the sun goes along under this arch on the underside; it returns at night on the upper side of the arch to its starting place.

Underground Cave

There is another world under this earth. It is like this one in every way. The animals, the plants, and the people are the same, but the seasons are different. The streams that come down from the mountains are the trails by which we reach this underworld. The springs at their head are the doorways by which we enter it. But to enter the other world, one must fast and then go to the water and have one of the underground people as a guide. We know that the seasons in the underground world are different because the water in the spring is always warmer in winter than the air in this world, and in summer, the water is cooler.

We do not know who made the first plants and animals. But when they were first made, they were told to watch and keep awake for seven nights. This is the way young men do now when they fast and pray to their medicine. They tried to do this. The first night, nearly all the animals stayed awake. The next night several of them dropped asleep. On the third night, still more went to sleep. At last, on the seventh night, only the owl, the panther, and one or two more were still awake. Therefore, these were given the power to see in the dark, go about as if it were day, and kill and eat the birds and animals that must sleep during the night.

Even some of the trees went to sleep. Only the cedar, the pine, the spruce, the holly, and the laurel were awake all seven nights. Therefore they are always green. They are also sacred trees. But to the other trees, it was said, ” Because you did not stay awake, therefore you shall lose your hair every winter.”

After the plants and the animals, men began to come to the earth. At first, there was only one man and one woman. He hit her with a fish. In seven days, a little child came down to the earth. So people came to the earth. They came so rapidly that for a time, it seemed as though the earth could not hold them all.

By Katharine Berry Judson, 1913. Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser-Alexander / Legends of America , updated November 2021.

Indian Proverbs & Wisdom

Legends, Myths & Tales of Native Americans

Old West Legends

Native American People

Native American Tribes

The Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute

Cultures and Their Myths

Title of message

Here is the body of the message. You can remove the title if you don't want it. You can also style the content and add links. Comment out the code not in use.

Native American & Indigenous Studies

• Campus Resources
• Reference Sources

Books & eBooks

• Journals & Databases
• Open Access & Online Resources
• Mythology & Oral Traditions
• Land Acknowledgement
• Native American Heritage Month
• Contemporary Issues
• Other Helpful LibGuides

Reference Entries

• How Native American Food is Tied to Important Sacred Stories from The Conversation: An Independent Source of Analysis from Academic Researchers
• Native American Mythology From UXL Encyclopedia of World Mythology (Vol. 4.)

Native American Oral Traditions

Native American oral literature preserves cultural legacy and traditions through storytelling, oratory, and performance. Passed on through myths, songs, legends, and tales, oral literature places great importance on language. In the retelling, information must be remembered accurately. N. Scott Momaday explains: “Words are spoken with great care, and they are heard. They matter, and they must not be taken for granted; they must be taken seriously, and they must be remembered…. At the heart of the American Indian oral tradition is a deep and unconditional belief in the efficacy of language. Words are intrinsically powerful.”

The Native American peoples of North America do not share a single, unified body of mythology or literature. The many different tribal groups each developed their own stories about the creation of the world, the appearance of the first people, the place of humans in the universe, and the lives and deeds of gods and  heroes . Yet, despite the immense variety of Native American mythologies, certain mythic themes, characters, and stories can be found in many of the cultures. Underlying all the myths is the idea that spiritual forces can be sensed throughout the natural world—including clouds, wind, plants, and animals—which they shape and sustain. Many stories explain how the actions of gods, heroes, and ancestors gave the earth its present form.

According to the mythologies of most Native American cultures, people originated in the places where their ancestors traditionally lived. Some tales speak of ancient migrations. Native Americans are descended from hunting and gathering peoples of northeastern Asia who migrated across the Bering Sea into North America during the most recent Ice Age. During that Ice Age, which ended around 8000 bce, the level of the oceans was much lower, and a bridge of land linked Siberia and Alaska. Some groups may also have reached Alaska from Siberia by boat or by walking on ice. Over thousands of years, the population of North America grew and diversified into the peoples and cultures that Europeans encountered when they began to colonize the continent in the 1500s ce.

Certain myths could not be told lightly. They formed the basis of sacred rituals, including ceremonies in which participants acted out traditional sacred stories. Many Native Americans believed that some myths could be told only at certain times, often during winter nights. A dire fate—such as an attack by snakes—awaited those who told the stories at the wrong time. Other myths resembled folktales. They could be told for fun or to teach a lesson about proper behavior, and those who told them were free to change or add elements to the basic story. Many such tales involved  tricksters.

• << Previous: Apache
• Next: Land Acknowledgement >>
• Last Updated: Jan 29, 2024 10:48 AM
• URL: https://research.dom.edu/NativeAmericanStudies

REBECCA CROWN LIBRARY 7900 West Division Street River Forest, IL 60305

• Website Feedback