CONTENTS

Page
Introduction[xi]
Olelbis[3]
Olelbis and Mem Loimis[51]
Norwan[69]
Tulchuherris[121]
Sedit and the Two Brothers Hus[163]
Hawt[177]
Norwanchakus and Keriha[211]
Kele and Sedit[243]
Kol Tibichi[267]
The Winning of Halai Auna at the House of Tuina[281]
The Hakas and the Tennas[297]
Ilhataina[313]
Hitchinna[325]
Tirukala[339]
Sukonia’s Wives and the Ichpul Sisters[353]
The Finding of Fire[365]
Haka Kaina[373]
Titindi Maupa and Paiowa, the Youngest Daughter of Wakara[389]
The Two Sisters, Haka Lasi and Tsore Jowa[407]
The Dream of Juiwaiyu and his Journey to Damhauja’s Country[425]
The Flight of Tsanunewa and Defeat of Hehku[445]
The First Battle in the World and the Making of the Yana[467]
Notes, and Names of Places[485]

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INTRODUCTION

THE creation myths of America form a complete system; they give a detailed and circumstantial account of the origin of this world and of all things and creatures contained in it. In the course of the various narratives which compose this myth system an earlier world is described to us, with an order of existence and a method of conduct on which the life of primitive man in America was patterned.

That earlier world had two periods of duration,—one of complete and perfect harmony; another of violence, collision, and conflict. The result and outcome of the second period was the creation of all that is animated on earth except man. Man, in the American scheme of creation, stands apart and separate; he is quite alone, peculiar, and special. Above all, he belongs to this continent. The white man was unknown to American myth-makers, as were also men of every other race and of every region outside of the Western Hemisphere.