Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest (Bison Book)

These collected myths of Indian tribes in California and the Southwest were first published in 1912 and are introduced in this Bison Book edition by Peter Iverson. Here are the Zuni, Pima, Paiute, Shastika, and Miwok stories of the creation of the universe, animals, and humans. They tell of good and evil, the entrance of death into the world, great floods and fire, and the origins of names. Also included are fables, rain songs, the Paiute song of the Ghost Dance, and legends of Yosemite Valley. We find here the Zuni legends of Corn Maidens and the Navajo tale of the boy who became a god. Coyote in his guises as trickster, benefactor, and dupe appears prominently in the myths of the Achomawis, Gallinomeros, Miwoks, Nishinams, Pimas, Ashochimis, Karoks, Paiutes, and Sias (Zia Pueblos). Here, too, are such creators and destroyers as Old Mole, Spider, Snake, Measuring Worm, Raven, and Macaw, and a host of anthropomorphized animals and natural forces. Katharine Berry Judson was a professor of history at the University of Washington who also compiled and edited "Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest". Peter Iverson provides an updated view of her work in his introduction. He is a professor of history at Arizona State University, Tempe, and the author of "The Navajo Nation" and "The Navajos". The Beginning Of Newness -- The Men Of The Early Times -- Creation And Longevity -- Old Mole's Creation -- The Creation Of The World -- Spider's Creation -- The Gods And The Six Regions -- How Old Man Above Created The World -- The Search For The Middle And The Hardening Of The World -- Origin Of Light -- Pokoh, The Old Man -- Thunder And Lightning -- Creation Of Man -- The First Man And Woman -- Old Man Above And The Grizzlies -- The Creation Of Man-kind And The Flood -- The Birds And The Flood -- Legend Of The Flood -- The Great Flood -- The Flood And The Theft Of Fire -- Legend Of The Flood In Sacramento Valley -- The Fable Of The Animals -- Coyote And Sun -- The Course Of The Sun -- The Foxes And The Sun -- The Theft Of Fire -- The Theft Of Fire -- The Earth-hardening After The Flood -- The Origins Of The Totems And Of Names -- Traditions Of Wanderings -- The Migration Of The Water People -- Coyote And The Mesquite Beans -- Origin Of The Sierra Nevadas And Coast Range -- Yosemite Valley And Its Indian Names -- Legend Of Tu-tok-a-nu'-la (el Capitan). Legend Of Tis-se'-yak (south Dome And North Dome) -- Historice Tradition Of The Upper Tuolumne -- California Big Trees -- The Children Of Cloud -- The Cloud People -- Rain Song -- The Corn Maidens -- The Search For The Corn Maidens -- Hasjelti And Hostjoghon -- The Song-hunter -- Sand Painting Of The Song-hunter -- The Guiding Duck And The Lake Of Death -- The Boy Who Became A God -- Origin Of Clear Lake -- The Great Fire -- Origin Of The Raven And The Macaw -- Coyote And The Hare -- Coyote And The Quails -- Coyote And The Fawns -- How The Bluebird Got Its Color -- Coyote's Eyes -- Coyote And The Tortillas -- Coyote As A Hunter -- How The Rattlesnake Learned To Bite -- Coyote And The Rattlesnake -- Origin Of The Saguaro And Palo Verde Cacti -- The Thristy Quails -- The Boy And The Beast -- Why The Apaches Are Fierce -- Speech On The Warpath -- The Spirit Land -- Song Of The Ghost Dance. Compiled And Edited By Katharine Berry Judson ; Introduction To The Bison Book Edition By Peter Iverson. Originally Published: Chicago : A.c. Mcclurg & Co., 1912. A Bison Book. Offers a collection of myths of Indian tribes in California and the Southwest. Here, are the Zuni, Pima, Paiute, Shastika, and Miwok stories of the creation of the universe, animals, and humans. They tell of good and evil, the entrance of death into the world, great floods and fire, and the origins of names. First published in 1912, these collected myths tell of good and evil, the entrance of death into the world, great floods and fire, and the origins of names. Also included are fables, rain songs, the Paiute song of the Ghost Dance, and legends of Yosemite Valley. Illustrations