Native American creation myths

Summary: The tales in this volume encompass two great myth cycles developed by the Wintu and Yana groups of Indians. The first cycle includes myths dealing with the metamorphoses of the First People or gods into everything that is in the world, including the world itself. The second cycle of myths describes the various changes, phenomena, and processes observed throughout nature. Light and darkness, heat and cold, opposing winds, and heavenly bodies appear as heroes and leading actors. For Native Americans, the lives of the First People as described in the creation myths were models upon which faithful Native Americans were to fashion their lives in all times and places. Many of the myths included here are very beautiful, but until the appearance of this collection, they were largely unknown to non-Native Americans for the simple reason that they had never been collected. Thanks to Jeremiah Curtin's industry and perseverance, they were recorded and preserved, providing not only a wealth of fascinating reading, but an invaluable resource on Native American folklore and culture.

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