American Indian Mythology

It is certain that the number of cultures that existed in the area now covered by the United States before the substantial influx of Europeans will never be known. From what records remain, it is clear that the locations of the tribes were not static, but migrations of displacement, wars of conquest for brides and slaves; border interactions and peace treaties all led to a mingling of the cultures. After several hundred years of cultural "assimilation", much of their heritage has been lost. However, some has been preserved, and as is the case with much of the old ways in other lands, this heritage is preserved in mythology. While some of the tales recounted in this book are clearly ancient, several are of recent origin. Tales of the arrival of Smallpox on his horse clearly originated in the last few centuries. In fact, all tales involving the horse are relatively recent, as they were introduced by the invading Spaniards. In reading the stories, there is one recurring theme, that of the animals being spirits and humans being transformed into animals. At other times, the animals assist humans in their tasks, doing so voluntarily and never filling the role of a slave. From the ferocious warriors of the west to the settled agricultural groups of the east, this is a theme common to their myths. Another common theme that is significant more by the absence is the lack of human foibles and whim that the Indian "Gods" lack. There is none of the moodiness that is often part of the behavior of the gods in western mythology. All myths must be read while thinking about the context of the times and what has happened since the origins of the tales.