A little about myself
I occasionally write about various topics, inlcuding visits to the mystical land of tech, computer and internet nostalgia--typically 80s to the mid 00s; the frustrations, processes, successes, and oddities of daily life; and the sporadic attempt to explore the overlooked and unseen. I also infrequently (hoping to be more frequent) make comics of questionable value (don't worry, they never go beyond a PG rating).
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The Mythical Creatures of Legend... From America
There's a deep well of American Indian legends, myths, and folktales
Most of us are familiar with mythical creatures populating our favorite fantasies and collective imagination, from dragons, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants, and halflings to all manner of hideous monsters. As much as I wish I was, I am no expert, just a humble layman in matters of folklore and myth, but it seems to me like a huge number of these creatures are based on ancient Norse, Celtic, and other European legends.Yet the world is a big place, and Europe doesn't have a monopoly on fantastical creatures. I know because I grew up around the Navajo, Ute, Paiute, and Apache peoples, a few of whom were friends of mine. They told me some stories. It wasn't just them, the whole region around where I grew up has tales of legend, ghosts and spirits, unexplained phenomena, strange formations, and old battlegrounds, discussed with some frequency by the locals. A gruesome battle here, a haunted valley there, and rock art all around exhibiting some unusual looking creatures.
Without a doubt, the American Indians also have their fair share of legendary and mythical beings passed down through the generations, each with stories that captivate and intrigue.
[Quick disclaimer: Information on these mythical creatures primarily comes from oral tradition, which later spread to outsiders like me and on the internet. Reliable written sources are rare and authenticity is uncertain. Please remember many of these figures are considered sacred. You don't have to be respectful, but why wouldn't you?]
Growing up in Utah, I've heard so many of these stories I stopped paying attention to them. And I suppose for that reason, I never thought about them much until recently, when my brother told me he was cautioned about some water spirits in the Duchesne River. So I started to remember, do some research, and well, here we are.
But even now, after some thought and internally intellectualizing these stories, I'm a bit reluctant to write about them.
Words might fail me, but I'll try to explain why, and how I processed these stories before: living here, near the specific landmarks--certain rocks, forests, rivers, and mountains of which the legends and myths speak-the stories are less an intellectual concept, not some abstract collection of words out of a book from the library, but more a "did that really happen, what actually took place right here where I'm standing?" It's not a thing you talk about on the internet; it's a place you physically go and wonder if it will happen again, today, to you. Your mind immediately posits the question, "should we test this legend out, since you're right here?"
"Nah, don't be silly...
...but what if it's true?"
I've experienced a few strange things in the Utah desert, but I've never considered myself all that into the supernatural and shrugged off whatever I couldn't explain. Even so, for now, I'll pass on going out into the wilderness to whistle at night, looking for living rocks, or small child-like creatures enticing me with shiny objects in the river. I'll let you try that, if you dare.
Below, I'll share some of the most fascinating mythical creatures from American Indian folklore. So before you head out into the American wilderness, read about what you may encounter, if you're lucky... or very unlucky.
Spirits of Nature - Water Babies, Rock Spirits, and Little People
Water Babies
Water Babies are small, powerful spirits lurking in springs, rivers, and lakes, especially in the folklore of Great Basin tribes like the Ute. These are the creatures my brother was warned about. They might look harmless--sometimes appearing as infants, crying to lure people closer, or with long green hair--but don't be fooled. They're dangerous if disrespected, known to cause illness or even drown those who cross them. In some stories, they're tiny creatures who trick people to their deaths or even eat children, making them a chilling presence in the water. Offerings are often made to appease them, and while possessing their hair or belongings might grant power, it's a big risk and might backfire.So be careful around these little creatures! These deadly water spirits are tied to the Great Basin's sacred waters. Their cries signal disaster, a warning to stay away. Growing up in Utah, while many rivers are shallow, there are a few, including many lakes, that can get pretty dark or muddy, and deep--I've always hesitated going in those more obscure waters, never certain what's lurking below.
Rock Spirits
In many other folktales from the American Indians, rocks aren't just rocks--some are alive with spirits that demand respect. Many tribes, like the Ute, see significant rock formations as homes for powerful spirits, often requiring offerings to honor them. The Great Spirit, a supreme force in many traditions, is sometimes tied to these rocks. The Lakota call it "Tunkasila" (grandfather), while the Haudenosaunee see it as the Creator living in everything--sun, moon, earth, and even stones. For others, this force is Manitou, a universal spirit that rests in boulders and "spirit stones" on hilltops or sacred places. These spots were once common across the landscape, and you'd be wise to tread carefully around them. Disrespecting a spirit rock could bring some serious trouble.Some stories show the power of these spirits, like the tale of Spirit Rock along the Wolf River: three warriors journeyed to a sacred spot, offering tobacco to the Great Spirit for their wishes. Two asked for humble things, better hunting skills and a wife, and got their wishes. But the third, craving eternal life, got turned into a rock for his selfishness, now called Spirit Rock.
Not all rock spirits are so fair, though. Take Tahquitz from the Southern California tribes--a nasty spirit living on Mount San Jacinto. They say he shows up as fireballs, lightning, or thunder, stealing people or their souls to devour on the mountain. Makes you think twice about hiking near those peaks!
Little People or Stick Indians
Little People, sometimes called Stick Indians, are often small (but not always), human-like beings hiding out in remote forests, rock crevices, or along waterways in American Indian folklore. They're shy and elusive, but don't let that fool you, they can be mischievous or even dangerous if you cross them. These little folks might steal your stuff, mess with your head, or lead you astray, though some stories say they'll help or share power if you approach them the right way. Either way, you've got to be respectful, and whatever you do, don't whistle at night--that's a surefire way to catch their attention, and not in a good way!...
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