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Text originally published in 1918 under the same title.
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Publishers Note
Although in most cases we have retained the Authors original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern readers benefit.
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MYTHS AND TALES FROM THE SAN CARLOS APACHE
BY
PLINY EARLE GODDARD
ANTHROPOLOGICAL PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
VOL. XXIV. PART I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
These narratives are the translations of texts recorded during several visits to the San Carlos Apache. The first of these was made for the University of California in 1905 with only moderate success because of the difficulty in finding proper interpreters. The larger amount of material was secured early in 1910 for the American Museum of Natural History and supplementary texts were recorded during the summer of 1914 for the same institution. In the main, then, this publication, together with Volume VIII of this series, forms a part of the work inaugurated in the Southwest in 1909 under the yearly grants made by Archer M. Huntington.
The two chief informants were Antonio, a very well informed man of advanced age who dictated freely; and Albert Evans, a man of middle age speaking sufficient English to translate his own texts.
The myths of the Apache are of two sorts: First, there are several important narratives, the most typical of which explains the origin of the earth, and of its topography, the birth of the Culture Hero and his activities in freeing the world of monsters. To the second class belong the myths explaining the origin of definite ceremonies. These myths in their more complete versions are known only to those who celebrate the ceremonies in question and are perhaps integral parts of the rituals. The myth of the woman who became a deer is typical of this class.
The tales divide into those which are wholly native and those that, in part at least, are of European origin. The Apache themselves recognize some of these tales as Mexican but claim other such stories as Apache. Without a knowledge of European folklore a complete segregation of the European elements is impossible. The footnotes point out the more obvious foreign tales or incidents.
When the literature of all the Southern Athapascan tribes has been published in considerable quantity, a characterization of it as a whole and a comparison with that of the Pueblo peoples and the neighboring tribes will be of interest.
Resulting as a by-product from linguistic work these myths and tales are not to be considered as exhaustive of those known to the Apache. Long tales, European in origin, have been heard at the camp fires which are not included in this series. It is probable that important native myths have also been missed.
PLINY EARLE GODDARD.
August, 1918.
CREATION MYTH (First Version) {1}
There were no people but there were some persons existing who were without parents. These were Bee dilxil xastin, Black Metal Old Man, Naluleteu dilxiln, Black Big Spider, Nltc dilxil, Black Whirlwind, and Godiye, Mirage. {2} These were the four who did this. There was neither earth nor sky. Bee dilxil had no house. Spider had no house but his dwelling place was where his web hung crosswise. Although there was neither earth nor sky Whirlwind had his home in the space between the earth and sky. Mirage had nothing on which to dwell but he trembled about where there was no earth and no sky.
These came together and talked about what there might be on which they could dwell. They said they would live on the sky and that they would also make the earth. They determined that there should be something. These four persons were discussing with each other how it should be done. Black Whirlwind did this way; he rubbed his hand over his breast and removed some of the cuticle. Taking this between his thumb and forefinger he asked how the earth should be. He pressed the cuticle between his thumb and finger repeatedly. {3} He then walked to that which he had made and the earth nearly moved into its place. White Whirlwind came up to it and stood there. The earth moved a little way. Yellow Whirlwind came up to it and took his station. The earth moved nearly to its place. Blue Whirlwind went to it and stood by it. Then the earth that was to be settled to its place. {4}
They now discussed what should support the earth. They concluded to make four supports for it of bee dilxil . They added a black whirlwind to these to help hold it up. They all agreed it was satisfactory.
When they had finished the earth they began making something to live on it. They made coyotes and the birds which have wings but are like human beings. There were all kinds of birds living on the earth. Thus people of this sort existed. Because these people were not good water covered the whole earth.
Then Estsunnadlehi {5} went into a vessel of turquoise. She put in some seeds and the two grinding stones, and stopped the opening in the vessel with clay. She floated around in this on top of the water. When she struck the side of the vessel with the muller it rang bibit. As long as there was much water it made a sound like bit when it was struck. When the water was gone she hit it again and heard a sound like dan. Thinking then that the water was gone down she broke out the stopper and came out. {6} There was nothing but a level plain of sand where she came out. There was nothing there, not even bushes. She sat down by herself and began to consider what would be. She went up on the mountains where the suns rays struck as the sun came up and took a position on her knees with her head turned away. Four times the sun refused to shine. Having tried in vain she came there the next day and did the same thing with the same lack of results. This was repeated on the third and fourth days. When she had done it four times on the fourth day the sun penetrated her and she was glad. {7}
Estsunnadlehi became pregnant and gave birth to a girl. When this girl had grown to some size her mother told her to seek a connection with someone. She directed her to go to the bluff where water was dripping. The girl went there and took a position on her knees. The water fell between her legs, but did not enter her. She went there and did the same way three times in vain. Then her mother put her in position and the water entered her.
She became pregnant and gave birth to a boy. She was called Naldilxiln, the boy was to be Naiyenezgani, and her mother was Estsunnadlehi. There were these three.
He who was to be Naiyenezgani had a smooth head. He had no hair, ears, nose, teeth, or lips. He was also devoid of the ridge above his eyes as well as of eyebrows and eyelashes. His arms had no joints and he had no fingers, just a flat hand. His legs were similarly without joints and his feet were undivided into toes. {8} He had no nails on his hands or feet. He was just smooth and unformed. {9} The woman was considering what should be.
