by Peter Freeman

Created on: March 09, 2009

Native American Mythology is as diverse as the continent. In order to make sense of their environment the peoples of the South American rainforests, the North American deserts, the Rocky Mountains and the frozen Tundra of the north would find it necessary to develop different methods of explaining their circumstances.

Common threads include;

The belief in a superior being, either standing alone or as head of other Gods.

The notion of Humankind being created by God or Gods.

Giving honor to the four directions for protection and calling them as witnesses to special events.

Viewing the Earth as a living being, always female being referred to as "Mother" and the sky as Father'

Everything inhabiting this world has a spirit, including not just animals but trees, sometimes called Standing People' Rocks and Mountains and even the wind and rain.

One other common thread is the appearance of the Holy Man' The spiritual leader who receives visions and acts as a messenger between the Gods and man, known as a Shaman' or Medicine Man'

The belief systems are arranged, roughly, into two types; a polytheistic system where many Gods are subservient to one head God or, a monotheistic system where there is one God referred to as Creator' and frequently prayed to as Grandfather'

The polytheistic system is prevalent in South America. The adoption of different communities of a patron God, the tales of Gods such as Quetzalcoatl appearing as a giant, golden bird and the claim of the Inca kings that they were descended from the sun God all are reminiscent of Egyptian mythology. Leading many to suspect a common source.

North America, with its monotheistic system, nevertheless has various personages aiding the Creator in instructing people. Perhaps the best known of these is Buffalo Calf Woman'

Among the Lakota people it is told that she appeared to the Oglala as a Wakan' a holy woman, and gave to them the Chanupa or Sacred Pipe. This is the Peace pipe of popular stories. Among the Native Americans it has religious significance. One of the rules governing it is that while it is being smoked, no lie shall be told.

Another interesting thread running through Native American Mythology is the occurrence of tales that, at first glance, would appear as nothing more than children's tales. Creation tales involving a Raven or Crow getting into mischief and affecting creation almost by accident. Tales of the Coyote or Wolf being fooled by a lizard or a small creature. Here's an example:

When the Earth was young,

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