Texas Indian Myths and Legends

by Archer, Jane

• ISBN13: 9781556227257
• ISBN10: 1556227256
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Pub

Summary

Step into a colorful pageantry of the powerful people who once ruled and still influence the great state of Texas. From the Caddo in the Piney Woods, the Lipan Apache in the Southwest, the Wichita at the Red River, and the Comanche across the Great Plains to the Alabama-Coushatta in the Big Thicket, five nations come alive through myth and history in Jane Archer's vividly written book about the first Texans. "Texas Indian Myths and Legends is a valuable contribution to the literature of Native America . . . full of wonderful stories told in a simple and engaging manner". William Sanders Author of "The Ballad of Billy Badass and the Rose of Turkestan" "Archer's Texas Indian Myths and Legends places the tales from a number of neighboring tribes side by side and helps dispel the mistaken impression that all Indians have similar beliefs and backgrounds". Martha A. Bartter Truman State University Jane Archer is a best-selling author of more than a dozen historical novels. She grew up with family tales about Texas and her part-Comanche heritage. She combines a novelist's skills with extensive research to create this compelling book of ancient stories.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xi
Caddo Confederacies	1	(46)
Myths and Legends	2	(33)
The Origin of Animals	2	(1)
The Prediction of Tonin	3	(1)
Evening Star and Orphan Star	4	(4)
Maiden's Wish Upon a Star	8	(4)
Orphan Boy Gets Power	12	(3)
She-Who-Calls-the-Buffalo	15	(2)
Mother-of-All-the-Pecan-Trees	17	(2)
Path-of-the-Cyclone	19	(2)
Ten Brothers and the Cannibals	21	(3)
Death of a Cannibal	24	(2)
Arrows for a Ghost	26	(1)
Giant Turtle	27	(1)
Rabbit Steals Mountain Lion's Teeth	28	(2)
Why Hawks Have Thin Legs	30	(1)
Mountain Lion Tracks Coyote	31	(3)
Corn Mill Coyote	34	(1)
History	35	(12)
Lipan Apache	47	(44)
Myths and Legends	48	(35)
Origin of the Lipan Apache	48	(2)
Changing Woman Gives Birth to Killer-of-Enemies	50	(2)
Killer-of-Enemies Slays Monsters	52	(7)
Changing Woman Regains Wise One	59	(4)
Killer-of-Enemies Teaches Raid and Warfare	63	(1)
Prairie Dogs Save a Woman	64	(4)
Horse Ceremony	68	(2)
Wind and Thunder Quarrel	70	(1)
Rescue by the Dead	71	(4)
Coyote Takes Buffalo Away from Crow	75	(4)
Coyote and Wildcat Compare Claws	79	(1)
A Fearless Young Man	80	(2)
Deer Woman	82	(1)
History	83	(8)
Wichita Confederacy	91	(50)
Myths and Legends	92	(40)
Escape from Sun Buzzard	92	(4)
Swift Hawks and the Buffalo Women	96	(3)
Spider Woman and Spider Man	99	(14)
Not-Know-Who-You-Are Saves the People	113	(6)
Turtle's War Party	119	(2)
Bad Boy and Warrior Women	121	(6)
Coyote and Skunk Plan a Feast	127	(3)
Coyote Challenges Never-Grows-Larger	130	(2)
History	132	(9)
Comanche	141	(40)
Myths and Legends	142	(28)
Origin of Days and Seasons	142	(1)
Spots on the Moon	143	(5)
Deer Medicine	148	(3)
A Girl's Gift to Her People	151	(3)
Two Buffalo Speak	154	(1)
Comanche Captive	155	(2)
Nuahnuh's Moccasins	157	(2)
Horse Raid	159	(1)
Ghost Warrior	160	(2)
Big Owl	162	(1)
Otter and Fox Hospitality	162	(3)
Fox and Owl Juggle Eyes	165	(1)
Turtle Challenges Rabbit to a Race	166	(2)
Coyote Girl	168	(2)
History	170	(11)
Alabama-Coushatta	181	(40)
Myths and Legends	182	(28)
Origin of the Alabama and Coushatta	182	(1)
The Great Flood	183	(1)
When Bear Lost Fire	184	(2)
Illness Comes to the World	186	(2)
Rescue of the Sun	188	(1)
A Game of Water	189	(1)
Pigeon Hawk's Gift	190	(2)
Corn Woman	192	(1)
Journey to the Sky	193	(4)
Snake Woman	197	(1)
Terrapin Aids Opossum	198	(2)
Crane Challenges Hummingbird to a Race	200	(1)
Little-Yellow-Mouse Confronts Owl	201	(1)
Tar Baby	202	(4)
Rabbit Tricks Wildcat	206	(1)
Little People	207	(1)
Old Dog	208	(2)
History	210	(11)
Sources	221	(6)
Bibliography	227