Many Indians believe that their ancestors and other ancient beings are among themselves and are not far from the living. Each individual joins his ancestors in other states of being, including the present, when he dies. A European speaker could say: “My grandfather lived in the twentieth century and Sitting Bull in the nineteenth century”, while an Indian speaker might say: ‘My grandpa and Setting Bull are here’.
Many indigenous groups remember the living presence of their ancestors in stories and works of art. For example, the peoples of the northwest coast lived in a pictorial universe full of visual representations of Cuervo, Orea, and other sacred ancestral beings, most of whom were responsible for the great events that created the world and its inhabitants.
They were always present in images carved into totems, houses, canoes, clothes, dancing suits, masks, ceremonial containers and various everyday household utensils.
Native American Cultures: Myths and magic
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This book challenges deep-seated stereotypes and offers an enriching perspective that contributes to a more comprehensive and respectful appreciation of the indigenous peoples of North America. Through an understanding of their myths and beliefs, we are taking an important step toward cultural reconciliation and the recognition of the diversity that has enriched the history of this continent.
These mythical stories, many of them linked to the literary genre of fantasy, reveal a world where the divine and the human intertwine in narratives that explain the cosmic order, creation, and the fundamental structure of the universe. Discover how these sacred tales bear witness to the deep connection of the natives with nature and spirituality.
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Traditions, myths, stories and legends