KACHINA (Nature Spirit)
Kachina, or Nature Spirit refers to Supernatural spirits of the Pueblo Tribes.
The Kachina is part of the Southwestern Pueblo tribe cosmology. It was believed in many cultures (such as the Zuni Tribe) everything tht made up the Earth would one day return as a Kachina. Most tribes such as the Hopi and Zuni tribes, have elaborate ceremonies where the men of the village dress in Kachina coustumes for ceremonial purposes. Many things are represented, most commonly, the Eagle.
Most people know this culture from particular statues called Kachina Dolls that are created to honor the spirits of the world by the tribes. Most commonly, again is the form of the Eagle.
(Photo Courtesy: AmericanIndianOriginals.com)
Here we have our page of Native American Myths, Legends, Ghosts, and beliefs. We will update with an added post on a weekly basis, so feel free to sit back and take a look back in history!
the CROW (spirit of evil)
The crow is known as the spirit of evil to the HOPI nation
many people believe in the possibility of luck. and with that comes the idea of carrying something around with you for luck. think of the crow as the complete opposite of that, according to the Hopi Nation. The crow has long been viewed as the bringer of chaos to the many people of this land.
The crow is said to have the power to make man do terrible things. It is also believed that crows are responsible for sickness. It was said that they preyed on those who "kanánapunangwa yéshe", or "someone who lives in disobedience"
(Photo Courtesy: news.discovery.com)
the SKINWALKERS (the shapeshifters)
the skinwalkers are shapeshifters of the navajo nation
Skinwalkers have become the subject of many stories and films as of these past few years. Many people say it is due to the popularity of warewolves in american culture. It was a matter of time before they researched the tribes of the american southwest, where there are people with the ability to transform in to wild animals.
The stories the Navajo Nation has told of the skinwalkers are far from the glitz and glamor of a hollywood film. The skinwalkers would use mind-control to get people to do their evil bidding. they were said to have the ability to outrun a car and jump from cliffs with no problem and no injury.
(Photo Courtesy: bodyandlight.tumblr.com)
the STAR PEOPLE (also known as Sky People)
the star people were believed to be gods sent from the heavens by the zuni people
The Zuni are known as possibly the oldest civilization in north america. they have been traced back 3,000 to 4,000 years. There is still, however, not much that is known as far as the Zuni people. Like most tribes in the southwest, they have no written language.
The Zuni stories of the Star people have become really popular in television mainly due to the idea that the Star people have direct relation to extra-terrestrials. The Zuni believed that the star fathers will return from the heavens to take the Star Children home.
(Photo Courtesy: bodyandlight.tumblr.com)
WITCHES (haunting people and possessions)
The Maricopa Nation believes in good and evil spirits walking amongst us
Usually when we hear of witches, our mind immediately pictures a disfigured, large nosed, green skinned woman in black with a giant pointy hat. Thanks to things like Halloween, this European concept overshadows the evil of Native American witchcraft.
Tribes like the Maricopa and Pima indians in Southwestern Arizona are a testament to that. Believing that evil poltergeists had the ability to control objects, people, and the world, tribes like the Maricopa indians would go so far as to "cleanse" people suspected of witchcraft.
(Photo Courtesy: nativeamericansouthwest.blogspot.com)
A'TAHSAIA (the cannibal demon)
the zuni devil living in the mountains consuming mankind
In the Northwestern part of the United States, there is a legend. Of a beast so massive and hairy that it can't possibly be a human. But, it walks on two feet. We are talking about, of course, sasquatch or Bigfoot. This creature has become more an entertainment piece than monster in recent years.
The Zuni people, would disagree. You see, there is a demon. An ancient beast that has tormented the men women and children of the tribe for thousands of years. It is a beast so horrific, noone would dare go near the mountains where A'Tahsaia's cave resides. He is most well known for his need to feast on the flesh of all mankind.
(Photo Courtesy: theAtahsaiaProject)
the OWL-MAN (the apache boogeyman)
The OWL-MAN is used as a story at night to keep children in line
The "boogeyman" is a character that is recognizable in almost every culture. A monstrosity that will come for you in the night if you don't follow what your parents tell you to do. For pretty much all of recorded history, there have been stories passed down through the generations.
The Apache tribes have their own version of this monstrosity. He is known as the Owl-Man. Described more as a man-eating ogre than an owl, the Owl-Man preys on children in the night that misbehave. The Owl-Man also has a role in ancient Apachean mythology being an early enemy of the fabled War Twins.
(Photo Courtesy: warriorsofmyth.wikia.com)
Nimerigar (Magical Little People)
The Nimerigar were a violent race of magical creatures
Many of the tribes of the southwestern United States believe in certain magical beings that want nothing but to consume and destroy everything in their path. The Nimerigar are no exception. The troll-like creatures have been terrorizing the tribes of these parts for thousands of years.
The Nimerigar were said to want nothing but to kill and eat people. The cannibalistic nature of their actions earned them terror around quite a bit of the desert southwest. In the 1930's an archeologist supposedly unearthed the remains of one of these creatures while digging in the Utah desert.
(Photo Courtesy: warriorsofmyth.wikia.com)
