Copyright © Markéta Loman Vogelová, All rights reserved.
Here some of them:
The Origin of the People
The earth was covered with water. The water dried up quickly. At this time the birds and animals were men.
Coyote was walking along the Panamint Mountains, when he saw a very beautiful woman who had very white skin. Her name was pabon’ posiats, “tan louse.” She was carrying a jug of water. Coyote followed her, and when he came up to her, he said, “I am very thirsty. Give me a drink of water.” She pointed to a place (about one-half a mile away) and told him to go over there, and she would give him a drink. Coyote did so. When she came up to him, she again pointed to a distant place and told him to go there. In this way she continued to put him off until they reached her home.
The girl lived with her mother. The mother said to her, “Where did you get him?” Coyote went to some water and started to drink. While he was drinking the girl tried to strike him several times, but Coyote dodged each time. Then she said to him, “You go into the house,” pointing to a big hole in the house. Coyote went in, and saw many bows and arrows around the walls of the house.
During the night Coyote’s advances toward the women were frustrated... In the morning Coyote asked the woman who owned the bows and arrows. She told him to take them and to hunt some ducks. That day Coyote killed ducks and caught fish, which he brought back to the house.
In the evening the women cooked the ducks. They ate some and disposed of some...
That night Coyote made advances to both the girl and her mother... By morning the girl’s belly was large. She began to bear children, putting them into a large basketry water jug. She told Coyote that they were his babies. When Coyote was ready to leave, the girl said to him, “Carry the babies in the jug. These babies will cry for water, but you must be careful. If you give them water, open the stopper only a little or they will get out.” She showed him how to give them water.
Coyote started out carrying the jug, which was very heavy. As he went along, the babies cried, “I want water. I am dry!” Coyote said, “They are thirsty; maybe they will die.” Coyote opened the jug, and the babies all ran out. They went in all directions. 10 The boys fought among themselves with bows and arrows. These people became the different Indian tribes.
Western Shoshoni Myths:
Panamint Valley
The Shoshone Mythology
In Shoshone beliefs, the archetypal deities appear as visionary beings who bring blessings and receive love. Shamans would receive visions in their dreams and lead the people to different areas on the map, dwelling where the spirit beings told them to. A vast collection of myths defines the relationships between man and nature and plants and animals. Man depended on the blessings of the gods, who in turn depended on prayers and ceremonies.In Shoshone mythology, the Coyote brought them to the lands of the Great Basin. Two Shoshone women gave Coyote a basket by two native women coated with pine pitch to make it waterproof. Coyote was supposed to carry this basket to the Great Basin, and was warned against opening the lid. However, his curious nature overcame him, and when he opened the lid, some of the beings inside jumped out and ran away, which is how they say their ancestors came to dwell in the land of the Great Basin.
Shoshone hold the wolf in great respect, as the creator god. The coyote, however, as a trickster was avoided. Shoshone tales tell of Coyote’s resentment against Wolf. In one tale, Coyote tried to trick Wolf, who had the power to bring the dead back to life. Coyote told Wolf that he should not bring the dead back to life because there would be no more room on the earth for everyone, expecting this to cause the Shoshone to hate Wolf. However, the trick was reversed, as Coyote’s son died and Wolf did not revive him. The Shoshone people say that was how death came to their lands, and the experience of sorrow when someone dies. They continue to admire Wolf’s power and wisdom, despite this.
Important Shoshone Mythological Figures
Issa/Wolf: Creator and culture hero of Shoshone mythology. Like other figures from the Shoshone mythic age, Wolf is usually represented as a man, but sometimes takes on the literal form of a wolf.
Coyote: Wolf’s younger brother, Coyote is a trickster figure. Though he often assists his brother and sometimes even does good deeds for the people, Coyotes behavior is so irresponsible and frivolous that he is constantly getting himself and those around him into trouble.
Nimerigar: A violent race of magical little people who were said to kill and eat people.
Water Babies: Mysterious and dangerous water spirits from the mythology of the Shoshone and other Western Indian tribes. They inhabit springs and ponds, and are usually described as water fairies who lead humans to a watery grave by mimicking the sounds of crying babies at night. Sometimes they are said to kill babies and take their place as changelings in order to attack their unsuspecting mothers. Water babies and their eerie cries are considered an omen of death in many Shsohone communities.
Copyright © Markéta Loman Vogelová, All rights reserved.
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