Native American Myths by J.K. Jackson

Author:J.K. Jackson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Flame Tree Publishing
Published: 2018-12-05T16:22:46+00:00

Heroes, Monsters and the Supernatural

Heroic legends featured sometimes reluctant but often brave and moral mortals who would undertake great tasks or journeys, some of which might be supernatural in nature. Native Americans believed emphatically in the existence of supernatural forces, both good and evil, and sought communion with nature as the most fruitful path to self-fulfilment. They held a strong belief in witchcraft and were convinced of the existence of a number of malevolent beings roaming the earth, among them the Stone Giants and the curious creature known as Great Head.

The unknown aftermath of death is an ever-present question for humanity, and stories about the Land of Souls and ghostly figures are an obvious extension of wondering what happens, especially for such spiritual people.

The Legend of Scar-face

In a far-off time, there lived an Indian who had a very beautiful daughter. Many young warriors desired to marry her, but at each request, she only shook her head and said she had no need of a husband.

‘Why is this?’ asked her father. A great many of these young men are rich and handsome, yet still you refuse them.’

‘Why should I marry?’ replied the girl, ‘when I have all that I could possibly want here with you at our lodge.’

‘It is a shame for us,’ said her mother, ‘that we should still have an unmarried daughter. People will begin to believe you keep a secret lover.’

At this, the girl bowed her head and addressed her parents solemnly: ‘I have no secret lover, I promise you, but now hear the truth. The Sun-god above has decreed that I cannot marry and he has told me that I will live happily, to a great age, if I preserve myself for him alone.’

‘Ah!’ replied her father, ‘if the Sun-god has spoken thus, then his wishes must be obeyed. It is not for us to question the ways of the gods.’

In a nearby village there dwelt a poor young warrior who had neither parents nor relatives. Left to fend for himself, he had become a mighty hunter with a brave and noble spirit. He would have been a very good-looking young man, but for a long scar on his cheek, left by the claw of a great grizzly bear he had slain in close combat. The other warriors of the village had ostracized the youth because of this disfigurement. They had given him the name of Scar-face and nothing pleased them more than to make a mockery of his appearance. Each of these young men had been unsuccessful in their attempt to win the hand of the beautiful young maiden and now, slightly embittered by failure, they made it an occasion to poke some fun at the poor, deformed youth.

‘Why don’t you ask that girl to marry you,’ they taunted him. ‘She could hardly refuse a man like you, so rich and handsome.’

They laughed a great deal to see that they had touched upon a sensitive nerve, for Scar-face blushed from ear to ear at their suggestion and stared longingly in the direction of the young woman’s lodge.

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