Legends, Myths & Ceremonies

Favorite Books Containing Myths

Back Home Wolves Page

Albino Spirit animals
by Gerald Musinsky

Most all every Native American tribe had some manner of "spirit" belief regarding albino animals. The Albino was protected by most Native American customs. Within the Northeastern Woodlands, Leni Lenape, Susquehannock, Iroquois (Six Nations) etc. One primary principle: The Albino was not to be hunted or killed. This taboo carried various curses. According to Bear Two Arrows (Eastern Delaware), knowledgeable of owl medicine, the taboo and its various curses are known among more respectful contemporary hunters with or without Native American ancestry. He relates his own experience regarding an albino owl, and it's connection to owl spirit medicine. [Leni Lenape words for: white, Wapsu; owl, Gokhos.] If an albino squirrel were hunted and killed, the hunter would suffer loss of his hunting abilities. If an albino deer were killed (and without remorse) the hunter might later loose his life in a freak accident often involving his hunting or survival skills. The general belief in certain legends concerning various individual animals persists into the 20th century, many of which can be documented. Among all tribes, the Albino animal had spirit connections, one of the strongest among the Plains tribe was the White Buffalo, a definite omen of great wisdom. The symbolic significance behind white or the quality of "whiteness" was not associated with purity as in Western culture but also wisdom and ancient knowledge of greater conceptual and spiritual magnitude. Depending on the animal species involved and how it corresponds within the greater tribal cosmological context sometimes manifests the extent of the consequences when the taboo is broken. Belief in the "spirit nature" of albino animals and the ritual taboo of protection probably has its roots in the fact that an albino's ability to survive natural predators is greatly reduced by the lack of proper pigmentation for camouflage and keener vision to spot prey. These natural attributes render an albino "unfair" game for the Native hunter, or any hunter aware of the spiritual nature these animals might possess. Even the skin or hides of these animals must be treated with reverence. Following the customs of these legends regarding the hunting and trapping restrictions were not in as much out of fear for the taboo but more so with respect to the higher aspect of Nature and the Creator.

Animal spirits
by Gerald Musinsky

The spiritual belief throughout Native America regards all living things as having a "spirit" that early ethnographers correlated with the Judeo-Christian soul. Although "soul" is a close correspondent, the nature of animal spiritism is deeper in its cultural context. Animals in particular, along with weather and other elements of nature, possessed particular qualities of power and knowledge. Other than Nature tale-types, the myth lore behind the creatures carries a significance into Native American cosmology and metaphysical perceptions of their relationship to this world and other lives.

Medicine
cherokee

A very long time ago, man and animal lived together in peace and harmony. Then suddenly this changed, when some greedy people began to hunt only to sell the meat and fur. This caused the animal population to dwindle, greatly concerning the animals. The white bear called a council of animals to decide on how to avenge themselves. They argued for a long time, but they could not agree. Then the oldest and wisest flies offered a suggestion. "Let us call upon the spirits" he said. "We will ask them to send great sickness on the people, and we will carry the diseases". Not long after that, a great sickness spread indeed through all the Native American villages -- attacking the good as well as the bad. Since the animals only wanted to punish the bad people, they were saddened to see the good ones were suffering as well. They called another council to discuss what was to be done. The lowly herbs came with a solution; they promised to heal the sick. Then, spirit dreams were sent to the Shamans to guide them to the herbs. This is how healing medicine was brought to the Native Americans.

Man in moon
by Richard L. Dieterle

How the Man got into the Moon There once was a circular village in the mountains where a boy named 'Running Antelope' lived with his grandmother. He was with a group of people who went to visit a prairie village ruled over by a cruel chief. The chief was fond of a very beautiful maiden named 'Little Hill', but could not succeeded in winning her over. When Running Antelope saw Little Hill he was smitten by her beauty, and spent most of his time with her. Finally they were married, and the couple lived in her village. However, the chief was very unhappy with this turn of events, and threatened that some day he would take her away from Running Antelope. Almost every night when people gathered in the center of the village for games and entertainment, the chief would try to win their affection by casting beautiful and valuable pieces of corral, turquoise, and beads onto the ground for people to pick up. Running Antelope collected many beads and went home to present them to his new wife, but when he got to his lodge, Little Hill could not be found anywhere. So Running Antelope snuck up to the chief's lodge and, as he expected, he heard within the voice of Little Hill singing. He burst into the lodge, and demanded the return of his wife, but the chief pulled a knife and Running Antelope had to flee. The chief grabbed his quiver of poisoned arrows and chased after him, shooting at the young man as they ran. Running Antelope was on the verge of being overtaken by his pursuer when he came to the sandy bank of a lake. There he prayed to the Water spirits of the lake to save him, and without further hesitation he jumped into the waters. The Water spirits shot a great swirling geyser of water into the sky which hurled Running Antelope all the way to the moon. When the chief came upon this scene, he shut his eyes tightly for fear that seeing the spirits would kill him. So Running Antelope was saved from the chief, but forever separated from his beloved wife. He is the man that we see in the moon. One day the chief was out near a lake when his eyes fell upon the reflected image of the moon. To him the image of Running Antelope was so vivid that he thought his enemy was right there in the waters, so he rushed in after him. That was his undoing, for the Water spirits overwhelmed him with wave upon wave of water until he drowned.

Ceremonies

Sun Dance

One of the most sacred ceremonies of the Plains Indians was, and still is, the Sun Dance. Each tribe had its own distinct variations of the Sun Dance. For Stoney Bands, a Sun Dance would be held in times of great need, or when a vision of a Sun Dance came to an individual. The Sun Dance, for the Blackfoot, signified a vow made by a virtuous woman of the tribe at a time of severe crisis. This would begin the preparations for a Sun Dance. One example of how a Sun Dance began, was with the Medicine Man going into the forest to fast for four days. The four days of fasting was followed by four days of rest at home. Then, he set out on foot to the ceremonial site. After arriving at the site he would sweat and then go out and choose a tree for the centre pole. This tree was placed into the centre of the large ceremony site. The site was surrounded by a wall of leaves to prevent those not invited, from seeing the ceremony. Before the dance began, coloured cloth offerings would be tied around the top of the tree. These represented the prayers of the people. The Sun Dance consisted of dancers attaching themselves to the centre pole with bone or wood skewers. Then, dancing around in a circle to the beat of drums and prayers, they pulled against the pole to tear the skewers out. Some dancers also attached a buffalo skull to their back. This form of self torture was considered highly honourable. This ceremony would continue for four days with some participants even dancing throughout the night. Their faces would be painted. As they danced, they blew eagle bone whistles to call the eagle spirit or Thunderbird. Those participating in a Sun Dance would obtain a sense of well being, contentment, and harmony with the universe. In the 1880's, the Canadian government officially discouraged and in some places prohibited the Sun Dance.

Green Corn Ceremony

The Green Corn Ceremony is a celebration of the new corn and the new year. It is a time of forgiveness and purification for both the ceremonial grounds and the Creek people. Old ways are cast aside as the new year marks a fresh start and new beginning. Every aspect of the ceremony is in some way symbolic of the purification and cleansing that is taking place. The name of this ceremony refers to its connection with the annual harvest of the New (Green) Corn. This ripening and harvest usually occurs during July or August, and none is eaten before this time. Such thanksgiving and celebration of a single crop is not unusual considering its traditional importance. Corn was by far the most dependable food source as it produced even when other crops failed or hunting was unsuccessful. Corn could be prepared in a variety of ways and could be used in numerous dishes. Even today corn remains a primary food source, because of both its nutritional value and traditional symbolism. The ceremony is also referred to as the Posketa or Busk which means "to fast". Fasting occurs in two ways; first as the community abstains from eating all new corn until the harvest celebration marked by the Green Corn, and second as participants abstain from all food and consume only a traditional herbal drink, a powerful emetic which serves to cleanse the body both physically and spiritually. According to traditionalists, the purpose of this medicine is to purify the people, so that they will be in an acceptable mental and physical state to receive the blessings of the new year.
Purification is the major theme of the ceremony, and participants are expected to lay aside ill feelings, forgive wrongs done to them, and forget the conflicts of the previous year. It is the Creek belief that all people should act with the kind of honest motivation which can only come from a pure heart and mind. By designating this time for cleansing, they ensure such purity for another year, and celebrate life as their ancestors have for thousands of years.

To Top