American Indian Myths and Legends

Myths and Legends represents the heart and soul of a culture. In "American Indian Myths and Legends" 166 legends that was recorded had come from " the heart and soul of the native people of North America." Legends had been told throughout many years and each time it is told differently. Legends are told according "to a people's way of life, the geography and the climate in which they live, the food they eat and the way they obtain it."For people myth is a different kind of world it is a dramatic world. It is a world of actions and powers. In mythology a different type of language is used, it has it own personality and independence. For the native people of North America legends were never told for enjoyment or for education, legends were part of a belief. It connects the people to their ancestors. One myth or legend that connects the native people to their ancestors is " When Grizzlies Walked Upright." This story is a love story of the Chief Sky Spirit daughter who had fallen in love with a grizzly bear. This love story was kind of weird but sweet. The daughter was lost and could not find her family. A family of grizzly bear had raised her until she had become a young woman. She was married to the eldest son of the grizzly bears. Their children was different but unique they did not look like their father or mother. The spirit mother and the grizzly bear had created a new creature. After many years the Chief of the Sky spirit had found his daughter and learned that the strange creatures were his grandchildren. He had hated the fact that a new race had been created that was not of his making. He cursed all the grizzlies and took his daughter. His grandchildren were left behind scattered and wandering around earth. The strange creatures were the first Indians. This story reminds me of fables were they use animals instead of humans. The legend " When Grizzles Walked Upright" had made the Indians not kill any grizzly bear because they are part of their ancestors.