American Indian Myths and Legends

Some of the stories are ancient, some a bit more modern with a few “white” influences (mostly along the lines of “welp, there goes the continent”). It's an overview of the whole country, from Maine to the Plains to the pueblos to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

It was refreshing to read something new instead of RE-reading another translation of something I’d already read. I’ve been interested in mythology since forever, and all but one (thanks to Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s COSMOS, actually) of these stories were completely new to me. You’d think someone who has an interest in this sort of stuff would have come across more of it already, but no. I’ve been hearing about the “old standby” mythologies (Greco-Roman, Norse, show more Egyptian, etc. etc.) my whole life, and next to zilch about the ones that were already here. If that doesn’t sum up the imperialst colonial something-or-other, then I don’t know what does. All I can say is I feel gypped. Education system FAIL.

Seriously - brave warriors, resourceful maidens, clever tricksters, shapeshifters, ghosts, talking animal companions, giants, terrible monsters, trips to the underworld, they’ve got it all. Including a huge disembodied head that rolls all over the place EATING PEOPLE (except in the Iroquois version of the story, where instead of rolling, it has wings and flies around, because Of Course It Fucking Does). Move over Medusa, how’s THAT for nightmare fuel?

In short, this one’s definitely a keeper and a re-reader. show less

"The 160 tales in this magnificent volume represent the richest record to date of a vital living legacy - the glorious folkloric traditions of the native American peoples. They also represent the combined talents of an eminent anthropologist and a master storyteller and artist, who have brought together both the best of folkloric sources of the last century and an exciting bounty of unpublished tales recorded by the authors from living storytellers. They sweep us across the entire North American continent - from the ancient Iroquois civilization of the Northeast, across the war-torn plains of the Cheyenne and Sioux, and up the rugged Northwest lands of the seafaring Aleut and Kwakiutl - drawing on the mythic heritage of over eighty show more tribal groups. The reach of the storytellers' vision is breathtaking, and illuminates a fantastic spectrum of traditional beliefs. Creation tales recount how our watery world was fashioned from primordial mud on the back of a turtle, its mountains and valleys the relics of ancient inhabitants. The first people spring to life from a sunbeam, a stone, or a drop of blood, and bring with them the vital corn, fire, or buffalo. Great heroes and heroines count coup for bravery on the battlefield, face hair-raising monsters, and make ghostly journeys to the spirit world. The scoundrel Coyote and his kin turn one hilarious trick after another, while poignant legends of love and sacrifice dramatize universal human predicaments. Rendering the tales with authority and authenticity, Erdoes and Ortiz infuse ancient images with compelling contemporary voices, and show how each generation shapes and re-creates its folkloric heritage anew. This is a book that will take its place with the masterworks of the field, to be read and relished for years to come." - Source: Publisher show less

A very well done over view of Native American Myths across the United States (With a few stories south and north of the border).

What I found most amazing is just how similar in themes the stories are to the fairy tales of Europe - basically - don't do this or else.

I especially liked the stories where animals and people were equal, and could talk to each other.

I suspect that this is a good introduction into Native stories, but for a serious scholar in the subject, probably not deep enough.

This magnificent collection gathers 160 tales from 80 tribal gathers to offer a rich and lively panorama of the Native American mythic heritage. From all across the continent come tales of creation and love, of heroes and war, of animals, tricksters, and the end of the world. Alfonso Ortiz, an eminent anthropologist, and Richard Erdoes, an artist and master storyteller, Indian voices in the best folkloric sources of the nineteenth century to make this the most comprehensive and authentic volume of American Indian myths available anywhere.

This is an excellant collection of the oral myths and legends of the Native American people. It is well organized with the various legends having common elements. The only way I found to truly enjoy the book was to get out of the Western Thinking mode as it applies to myths and legends. These stories do not necessarily have a moral behind it, and quite often no real begining or end. They often are just a partial episode that could centuries into a tribes traditions.

It is interesting to note the similarities of tales from peoples on opposite sides of the continent. It seems that life itself becomes legend, as chance encounters with new animals or tribes from distant lands give rise to the creation of a story.

All in all, a great book show more which should be in everyone's library. show less

I have had this book for many years and just recently realized I didn't have it listed on my booklist. This is a wonderful /interesting collection of over 160 myths and legends. I have reread many of the stories and each time enjoyed them. I remember reading some of the stories to my children . Some serious stories, others funny.

This collection is composed of stories from a wide variety of tribes. They're organized based on common themes (including but not limited to creation, war, and trickery), but each is different & interesting in its own way. Some are more humorous, some are more serious, but I enjoyed them all.