The Indians have many myths and legends, which vary in different tribes and localities. The people of Alaska have legends quite unlike those of the Mission Indians of California or the Zuñi tribes of New Mexico. In the north, cold, devils, fighting and struggles with animals predominate; in the south there is more of the spirit of harvest, of festival and brightness.
The scenes of the legends in general are laid in wigwams and deal with feasts, love-making, and battles with enemies. There are also many legends about trees, bees, birds, and fish. The original myths of light and darkness, flood, and other phenomena also recur. Read Indian Story and Song, by Alice C. Fletcher, and F. H. Cushing's Zuñi Folk Tales.
FOLK-LORE IN OTHER LANDS
In addition to the topics suggested, clubs should study more briefly than these the tales of other lands. Japan has a delightful set of tales, turning largely on animals, flowers and spirits. Read Ancient Tales and Folk-Lore of Japan, by R. G. Smith. Follow with the legends of China and Corea, both collected, full of originality and interest, with heroes and nature myths. Hawaii has much local color in her folk-tales, for volcanic fire often appears. See Hawaiian Folk-Lore by T. G. Thrum.
The myths of Egypt have recently been collected and are quite unlike those of other lands. They are divided into three groups, one dealing with the earliest times when simple nature myths occur; the second, when Egypt developed, and stories of town and country appear; in the third the stories deal with strangers, ships and sailors. Crocodiles play an important part, and the atmosphere of heat is always noticeable.
In modern Europe the stories of Spain and Italy and also of Roumania are to be studied, the latter in the collections made by Carmen Sylva, the queen. Add to these the subject of gipsy lore, from the book called Gipsy Folk-Tales, by F. H. Groome.
The subject of superstitions may follow the topics suggested, and ghosts, reappearances of all kinds, and haunted houses will prove a wide field.
Hero stories in all lands is also a delightful division of the general subject. The legends of Havelock the Dane, of Siegfried, of Roland, and Arthur put them in the class known as the "Fatal Children," or those whose innate greatness no earthly obstacle can withstand.
See Heroes of Myth, by Lillian L. Price and Chas. B. Gilbert.
One more important and curious topic is that of Were Wolves and Swan Maidens, as it is called, or the inhabiting of animal bodies by human souls, which is one of the constantly recurring legends in all lands. The rescuing of the imprisoned spirit has led to innumerable stories.