The Navajo The Navajo, who call themselves Diné (“The People”) are the largest Native American group in North America. Their tales of emergence and migration are similar to other Southwestern tribes such as the Hopi (with whom they have a long running rivalry). Navajo ceremonies such as the Nightway and the Mountain Chant are renowned for […]
The Maya This index lists resources at sacred-texts relating to Maya religion, mythology and folklore. Yucatan Before and After the Conquest by Diego de Landa, tr. William Gates [1937] The best primary source on the Maya, ironically by the monk who burned most of their books. The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel by Ralph L. Roys [1930] One of the […]
The Iroquois Iroquoian Cosmology by J.N.B. Hewitt [ARBAE 21:127-339] [1903] Seneca Indian Myths by Jeremiah Curtin [1922] The Code of Handsome Lake by Arthur C. Parker [1913] The Iroquois Book of Rites by H.E. Hale [1883]
Inuit Religion Inuit is the term preferred for speaking of the people commonly known as Eskimo—the word Eskimo being derived from a derogatory term (meaning “eaters of raw flesh”) used by the Algonquin people of North America. The Inuit culture is possibly the most geographically extensive of all traditional lifeways, showing an astonishing homogeneity of language, beliefs, […]
Inca Religion Here are some extracts from historical accounts of the religion of the Inca Empire. The Shepherd And The Daughter Of The Sun Viracocha And The Coming Of The Incas Death Of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui The Festival of The Sun Three Inca Prayers Apu Ollantay Translated by Clements Markham [1910] Probably the only pre-Columbian Native […]
Hopi Religion The Hopi, who occupy an area in the high desert plateaus of the Southwest, are one of the best-known Native American tribes. They have a rich mythological cycle about their ascent from a world deep inside the earth. Traditions of the Hopi by H.R. Voth, Field Columbian Museum Anthropogical Publication Vol. VIII. [1905]. A treasure trove […]
The Cherokee Sacred Formulas of the Cherokee by James Mooney [1891] Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney [1900] The definitive study of Cherokee mythology The Cherokee Ball Play by James Mooney [1890] The Cherokee (who call themselves the Tsalagi) originally occupied a large portion of the Alleghany mountains. Their territory covered what is today the states of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South […]
Native Californians General Northern Southern Missions Nevada There were hundreds of small tribes of Native Californians, with diverse cultures and languages. Most Native Californian tribes were decimated by disease and the stress of their virtual enslavement by the Spanish Missionaries. Later the Americans hunted down and exterminated many of the remaining tribes without mercy. Some were completely wiped out […]
Aztec Religion This index lists resources at sacred-texts relating to Aztec religion, folklore and spiritual practices. Rig Veda Americanus (Aztec Hymns) by Daniel G. Brinton, Brinton’s Library of Aboriginal Literature number VIII. Philadelphia, [1890] This relatively short document is one of the few public domain translations of an Aztec religous manuscript. The Myths of Mexico and Peru by Lewis […]
Native American Religions A long-standing problem with this section (and several others at this site relating to traditional peoples’ spiritual beliefs) has been the lack of authoritative information. We are in the process of expanding this section by scanning public domain ethnographic accounts on specific Native American religious and spiritual practices. We are fortunate that […]