Seneca myths and folk tales

Note: Themes, characters, episodes and common material are indexed in italics. Other subjects are in the usual Roman.

• Adoption by animals, 137.
• Air canoe, 97, 100, 318.
• Air jumping, 28.
• Albany, traditions of, 406, 407.
• America, discovery of, 383.
• Ancient One, 5, 59, 60.
• Ancient relics, 54.
• Animal foster-parents, 25, 137, 148.
• Animal paw target, 28, 160.
• Animal skin, borrowing of, 30, 132, 201.
• Animals, origin of, 67;
  • evil, 68, 414.
• Animals talk to men, 29, 137, 147, 224, 389.
• Animated finger, 31, 337.
• Arrow making, 98.
• Ashes, washing in, 197.
• Astral body, 29.
• Ataentsic (see Ancient One), 6, 59, 60.
• Autumnal colors, origin of, 82.
• Awaiting women, 118, 135.
• Barbeau, C. M., cited, 86 f.n., 459;
  • myth by, 417.
• Bark dagger, 31, 191.
• Bark dolls, 31
  • (see also dolls).
• Bark lodge, 43, interior, 44;
  • picture, 47.
• Basket from sky, 86.
• Beads, magical, 155.
• Bear, 387.
• Bear claw mittens, 126.
• Bear, monster, 17
  • (see also Niahgwahe).
• Bears talk, 148, 149 ff.
• Bearded monster, 228.
• Beauchamp, William M., 459.
• Beaver, 309;
  • evil beaver, 162, 189.
• Beaver, white, 17.
• Beds, 52.
• Bewitched, 370
  • (see also witchcraft, witches, wizards).
• Bewitched parents, 26.
• Bibliography, 459.
• Big Breast, 19.
• Bird colors, origin of, 313.
• Blow gun, 18, 355.
• Blue lizard, 17, 163
  • (see lizard, blue).
• Blue otter, 17.
• Bluesky, William, 107, f.n.
• Boaster makes good, 24, 350, 355, 361.
• Boas, F., 459.
• Boiling oil, 29, 267, 275, 291, 297, 348.
• Bone awl, 98.
• Borrowed eyes, 31, 105.
• Borrowed skin, 31, 237.
• Boy hero, 97, 111, 116, 122, 128, 137, 142, 147, 154, 159, 173, 200, 241, 253, 269, 280, 342, 359, 426.
• Box contains girls, 28, 234, 250.
• Brother and sister, 293, 344.
• Brothers, 261, 278;
  • as tormentor, 205, 206.
• Buffalo, chief, 138;
  • stampedes herd, 138.
• Buffalo, early, 37.
• Buffalo Historical Society, cited, 42 f.n.
• Buffalo one rib, 33, 139.
• Buffalo songs, 141.
• Bungling boy, 142.
• Bungling guest, 26, 209 ff.
• Bundles, of magical objects, 163, 222, 368, 369, 372, 376.
• Burmaster, Everett R., notes by, 369.
• Burning corpse, 282, 300.
• Camouflage, 356.
• Cannibal, 133, 156, 203, 269, 271, 284, 335, 345.
• Canoe, 134, 256, 269, 305, 342, 427.
• Capture, 356.
• Cattaraugus reservation, ix.
• Cave of giant, 397–398.
• Cedar waxwings, 331.
• Celestial tree, 6, 12, 33, 59, 60, 411, 417, 433.
• Charm holders’ society, 393.
• Charms, witch, 366, 376.
• Cheek tying, 118, 119, 124.
• Cherokee, 358, 422.
• Chestnuts, origin of, 132.
• Chewink, 326.
• Chickadee, 325.
• Clay pots, 54.
• Cleansing, 391.
• Cloudland eagle, described, 16, 387.
• Child killer, 282.
• Chipmunk’s stripes, 314.
• Clothing of Seneca, 41, 48.
• Clouds, scouts of Thunderer, 226.
• Coffin, 298.
• Colden, C., quoted, 431.
• Columbus, C., 384.
• Comet, origin of, 80, f.n.
• Concealed hearts, 28, 202, 274.
• Conception by entrance, 105.
• Conflict between Good and Evil, 69–70.
• Contest with sorcerers, 23, 168, 245–252, 265, 351.
• Converse, H. M., 446, 456.
• Corn maiden, 206.
• Cornplanter, Edward, picture, plate 2;
  • cited, 85, f.n., 107, f.n., 146, f.n., 153, f.n., 199, f.n., 305, f.n., 383, 386, f.n.
• Corn rains, 28, 205.
• Cornstalk, magic, 392.
• Corn storage, 53.
• Cosmic trees, 10, 415, 431.
• Cosmogony, 59, 411.
• Costumes of characters, described, 155, 174–175, 184, 218, 278.
• Council, 182, 281, 422, 429.
• Crabs (crawfish), 319, 321.
• Creation of man, 69–70, 71, 416, 434.
• Creator, 86.
• Cripples, origin of, 107, 158, 204,
  • (see skeletons restored).
• Crow, 325, 388.
• Dancing maidens, celestial, 86;
  • conjured, 215.
• Daughters, lost, 228;
  • beautiful, 154.
• Death, origin of, 93.
• Deer, 202.
• Dekanawida, 403.
• Descent, 423.
• Dew eagle, 387,
  • (see cloudland eagle).
• Divided Body, 133.
• Divided lodge, 200, 235, 284.
  • (See forbidden chamber.)
• Doctor, Laura M., 372, f.n.
• Dog, guard, 133, 136;
  • turns to stone, 136;
  • guardian, 202;
  • carries refugee, 295;
  • saves master, 303;
  • witch’s transformation, 378.
• Dolls, magic, 130, 272, 273, 345;
  • witch, 374, 423.
• Door-flap action, 30, 259.
• Door-post tying, 121, 261.
• Double deceives sister, 25, 290.
• Dream animals, rescues hero, 24;
  • in form of deer, 166;
  • spider, snake, 173;
  • appears, 179.
• Dream demand, 27, 187, 245, 259.
• Dream fast, 241.
• Dream god (Aikon), 10.
• Dream helpers, 29, 173.
• Dreams, 4, 423.
• Drum, 138, 201.
• Dry hand, 19, 368.
• Dual existence, 168.
• Ducks, leg tying, 214.
• Duel, 168, 231;
  • of dream tests, 245, 259;
  • rejected, 335.
• Dwarf, a monster, 228.
• Earth diver, 33, 62, 412, 419.
• Earth-god, 8.
• Earth Holder, 5.
• Education of young, 142.
• Elk, magic, 188;
  • carries hero away, 236.
• Enchanted clearing, 31, 165.
• Enchanted family, 109, 159, 169, 173, 200, 242, 268, 297, 348.
• Enchanted girls, 31, 169, 275.
• Enchanted lodge, 109, 165.
• Enchanted spring, 31.
• Entrapped, 178, 267, 270, 287, 348.
• Evil banished, 34, 71.
• Evil Mind (Tawiskaro), 9, 64, 69, 71.
• Eye plaster, 312, 321.
• False Faces, 8, 342, 347, 399;
  • society of, 400–401, 435.
• Famine, 185, 205, 337.
• Fat, origin of, 67.
• Father search, 34, 65, 413, 414.
• Filthy hero, 97, 123, 426.
• Fire beast, 6, 61, 79.
• Fire drill, 271.
• Fire-place burial, 28, 293.
• Fish line, magical, 30, 125, 263.
• Five Nations, 358, 395;
  • confederation, 405, 436.
• Flayed skin, 32, 130, 201.
• Flesh-eating water, 33.
• Flint chips, throwing, 28, 236.
• Flint lodge, 28, 261.
• Flute, magic, 66, 253.
• Flying heads, 13, 40.
• Folk-lore, xv;
  • types of texts, xix;
  • fabricated, xxi;
  • obtaining versions, xxii;
  • Seneca unchanged, 55.
• Food plants, origin of, 64.
• Food wasting taboo, 206.
• Forbidden chamber, 29, 201,
  • (see divided lodge).
• Forbidden direction, 108, 154, 201, 254, 269, 321.
• Four, magical number, 162 ff., 170 f.n.
• Friend of animals, 386.
• Frog, evil, 162, 322.
• Frost god, 14;
  • overcome, 91.
• Funeral, pyre, 282;
  • customs, 425.
• Games, 38–40.
• George, David, an informant, 153.
• Ghostly legs, 18.
• Ghosts, 4, 279.
• Giant, 285, 336.
• Giantess, human, 112.
• Gifts, 233.
• Glutton destroyer, 19.
• Gods and folk-beasts, 5, 16.
• Good Mind, 7, 8, 12, 64, 73, 92, 395.
• Grandfather and grandson, 142, 159.
• Grandmother and grandson, 200.
• Grasshopper’s leg, 340.
• Great Bear constellation, 81.
• Great Ruler, 340, 395.
• Great Spirit, 75.
• Grinding bodies, 232.
• Hail, 15.
• Haiowentha (Haiwatha), 404.
• Hair tied to earth, 30, 255, 259.
• Handsome Lake, 45, 366, 383.
• Harpy, 267.
• Harrington, Mark Raymond, ix, 456.
• Hawenio, 8.
• Head hitting, 244, 259.
• Head Opener, 10.
• Hearts detached, 28, 202, 274.
• Heart pinching, 319.
• Heart squeezing, 28, 203.
• Hero enchanted, 179, 192.
• Hero pulls out arrow, 27, 195.
• Hewitt, J. N. B., xx, 6, 442.
• Hickory nut oil, 295.
• Hidden lodge child, 24, 167, 249.
• Hill, Hon. Henry W., xi.
• Hoarded water, 23, 34.
• Holder of Heavens, 395.
• Hole in the ground, 147, 159, 256, 266.
• Hollow log regeneration, 29, 100, 120, 124, 237.
• Hollow tree, 176, 177, 215.
• Horned serpent, 16, 218;
  • picture facing 218;
  • scales of, 222;
  • rescues woman, 225.
• Hornet warriors, 155 ff.
• House of women, 102, 156, 250.
• Hunter, 182, 186, 254, 262, 350, 386.
• Hunters, classes of, 152.
• Hunting practice, 241.
• Hydra, 230.
• Idioms, 142.
• Idol, 423.
• Immaculate conception, 34, 63.
• Imposter, 180;
  • fails, 24, 182, 192.
• Immediate maturity, 63, 64,
  • (see precocious twins).
• Inexhaustible kettle, 30, 129.
• Ioueskha, 7, 8.
• Informants, ix, x, 199.
• Invisible friend, 114.
• Iroquois, 386, 387, 401.
• Island, lonely, 223, 256, 270.
• Jack Berry’s town, 42, 45.
• Jealous father, 228.
• Jealous sister, 99.
• Jealous sister-in-law, 26, 223.
• Jemmy, Tommy, 365.
• Jimerson, George D. (Tahadondeh), 122, f.n., 337 f.n., 342, f.n., 380, f.n., 396, f.n.
• Johnson, Esquire, relation by, 411, 421.
• Kennedy, Fred, ix, 370.
• Keppler, Joseph, 456.
• Kicking over tree, 29, 204, 276.
• Kittle, Delos Big, ix, 403, 407, f.n.
• Ladders, 51.
• Lacrosse playing, 104.
• Laughter overcomes magic, 162, ff.
• Lazy man, 208.
• Legends, origin of, 97.
• Leg sharpening, 31, 213.
• Leland, Charles G., 459.
• Levitation, 83, 199, f.n., 256.
• Lice hunting, 30, 255.
• Listener, (see Hatondas), 116, 122, 154.
• Lizard, blue, 17, 163.
• Lodge entraps unwary, 156.
• Lonely bird, 29, 325, 326.
• Lonely lodge, 184, 200, 241, 253, 262, 284, 290, 298, 344, 349.
• Long House, 421.
• Lost children, 228.
• Love glance, 185.
• Love powder, 373.
• Lover wins mate, 26.
• Lowie, Robert L., 459.
• Lustration, 391.
• Magic arrow, 29, 100, 185, 191, 195, 263, 345.
• Magic canoe, 30, 97, 100.
• Magic birds, 31, 186.
• Magic cap, 175, 184, 352.
• Magic feathers, 31, 352.
• Magic hair, 336.
• Magic moccasins, (see running moccasins), 176.
• Magic nut, 129.
• Magic path, 135, 155, 162.
• Magic pipe, 175, 186.
• Magic pouch, 30, 116, 119, 128, 175, 181.
• Magical power, 3,
  • (see also Orenda).
• Magic remedy, 114, 257.
• Magic root, 175.
• Magic spring, 31, 133, 162, 177.
• Magic suit, 30, 167, 174, 178, 181, 220.
• Maiden comes for husband, 205, 284.
• Maiden restored, 169.
• Man making, 34, 69, 71, 416.
• Marksman, 161, 241, 253.
• Marriage bread, 60, 123, 181, 205.
• Marry me, 205, 284.
• Mask, making of, 401.
• Master of Life, 75, 76.
• Mats, floor, 165.
• Medicine, 175, 181, 388, 445, 447, ff.
• Methods of recording, xvii.
• Miller, Aurelia Jones, 153, f.n., 158, f.n., 340, f.n., 394, f.n.
• Miller, Guy, 108, f.n.
• Mischief Maker, 18, 208, 278.
• Mole, skin borrowed, 132, f.n., 201.
• Moly (a magical plant), 258.
• Monster marries girl, 26.
• Monster race, 24, 140, 351.
• Monsters, 5, 130, 177.
• Moon, 12, 416.
• Mooney, James, 459.
• Morgan, Lewis Henry, 441.
• Morning Star, 12.
• Mother-in-law, 235.
• Mound, 139, 206, 230, 242, 274.
• Mourning, 424.
• Mutilating nephew, 117, 242.
• Nail parings, 332.
• Name-genius, 170, f.n., 300.
• Name guessing, 241.
• Nature conscious, 4.
• Nephew, (see uncle).
• Neutral, 45.
• New Year’s ceremonial, 424.
• Niahgwahe, 126, 295, 344, 345, 351, 358.
• North wind, 88.
• Obstacles intervene, 129.
• Obstacles produced, 26, 264, 266, 296.
• Oil, pool of, 67.
• Ongwe Ias, (see cannibal).
• Ordeals, 241, 252.
• Orenda (magical power), 3, 10, 159, 184, 241, 445.
• Otter, blue, 17.
• Overcoming monsters, 23, 162 ff.
• Owls, evil, 164; 177;
  • good, 387.
• Owls from witches’ heads, 28, 157, 164, 177, 283.
• Pacifying monsters, 28.
• Paddle, magical, 256.
• Paint, ceremonial, 167.
• Painting face, 278–279.
• Panther, evil, 165.
• Partridge, 328.
• Patting gives power, 204, 252, 255, 263.
• Peabody Museum of American Ethnology and Archaeology, ix.
• Peace Tree, 431, 436, 442.
• Pestle and mortar, 112.
• Pigeons, 424.
• Pigeon feathers, 265, 297, 347.
• Pine tree, origin, 85.
• Pipe, 175, 186.
• Pleiades, origin, 86.
• Poison cups, 231.
• Porcupine monster, 428.
• Pouch, 99, 165, 175, 332.
• Powered finger, 31.
• Power, magically acquired, 23, 263.
• Power testing, 71, 241–252.
• Precipice, 266.
• Precocious twins, 23, 101, 104, 126, 135, 268.
• Predestined mates, 16, 122, 168.
• Primal beings, 34, 412.
• Propitiation, 424.
• Provoker, 229.
• Puberty ceremony, 173.
• Purging, 391.
• Pursued by enemies, 113, 125, 190, 280, 295, 299.
• Pursuer delayed, 113, 130, 264, 296, 299, 345.
• Pygmies, (Djogeon), 18, 32, 332.
• Quapaw, 422.
• Quilt of eyes, 31, 102, 106.
• Rabbit, runs in circle, 316;
  • a gambler, 317.
• Raccoon and Crabs, 319.
• Raccoon outwits Wolf, 312.
• Race with monster, 140, 351.
• Radin, Paul, 459.
• Red Jacket, 365.
• Reducible dog, 32, 124, 294.
• Reducible sister, 28, 234, 249, 345.
• Reduction by magic, 255, 263.
• Refugees, 285.
• Refuge in hollow log, 281.
• Regeneration, 31, 75, 87, 429.
• Reichard, Gladys, 459.
• Rescued girls, 232–233, 249.
• Restoration from enchantment, 107, 115, 169, 201, 251–252, 258, 261, 276–277, 288, 348.
• Retaliation, 242–243, 259, 261.
• Ritual, 449 ff.
• Rival twins, 34, 69, 70.
• Root, magic, 175, 258.
• Running moccasins, 29, 176, 264, 345.
• Saliva gives power, 30, 81, 114;
  • heals, 213, 257, 334–335, 338.
• Salt, used as charm, 236.
• Scalding fluid missile, 109, 113.
• Scalping, 280, 342, 357, 387.
• Scolding wife, 208 ff.
• Search for relatives, 135, 159, 201.
• Seeds from heaven, 61.
• Seneca folk-tales, basic beliefs, 3;
  • legendary origin, 97.
• Seneca Indians, story-telling customs, xxiii;
  • basic beliefs, 3,
  • condition of, 45–46,
  • story-telling customs, 50;
  • beliefs, 365.
• Serpent progeny, 222.
• Seven-headed monster, 230, 232.
• Severance, Frank H., dedication to, v;
  • mentioned, xi.
• Sharp bone (witch weapon), 370, 377.
• Shell wampum, 404.
• Shooting practice, 160.
• Singing women, 102.
• Sinking basket, 230.
• Sister, enchanted, 249, 275.
• Sisters are witches, 131, 259.
• Six Nations, 340.
• Skeletons restored, 27, 29, 107, 158, 204, 252, 258, 276.
• Skinner, Alanson, 24, 459.
• Skin man (see flayed skin).
• Skull, talking, 32, 242, 270.
• Skunniwundi, 334, 337.
• Sky basket, 86.
• Sky Holder, 8.
• Sky Journey, 27, 74, 87.
• Sky woman, 9, 33, 60, 63.
• Sky World, 33, 59, 74, 411.
• Slippery hillside, 156, 267, 287.
• Smeared hair, 156.
• Snake grows fast, 33.
• Snowshoes, 199.
• Snowsnake game, 38;
  • drawing of, 39.
• Society, 400, 445.
• Sogogo (Bushy Head), 228.
• Song of magic, 130, 186, 236, 245, 247, 254, 271, 390, 455.
• Son-in-law put to tests, 23.
• Son testing, 34, 65, 414.
• Sorcerer’s line, 263.
• Sorcerer’s island, 26, 270.
• Soul path, 69.
• Souls of creatures, 4.
• Soup spoiling, 110, 229–230.
• South Wind, 90.
• Speaking first, 75, 229.
• Speaking trees, 399.
• Speck, Frank G., 449, f.n., 442, f.n.
• Spider, 173, 346.
• Spring god, 15, 89, 90.
• Spirit in tree, 341.
• Squirrel, 322.
• Staples, George Kelley, xi, 456.
• Stars, origin of, 69.
• State Museum of New York, x, 440.
• Step-father, 25, 147.
• Stolen eyes, 31, 102.
• Stone coats, 335, 337;
  • country of, 394.
• Stone giants, 18, 334, 337, 340;
  • battle of, 341, 394, 395, 425.
• Stone throwers, 331.
• Storage platforms, 44.
• Story teller, xxv, 49–50.
• Story-telling customs, xxiii, 50.
• Stream crossing, 334, 338.
• Stored property, 200, 220, 303.
• Storm wind, 13, 15, 32.
• Story bag, 50, 99.
• Strawberry patch (magic), 201.
• Sudden friend, 33, 134, 208, 257, 342.
• Sun god, 10, 76.
• Sustenance, spirits of, 15.
• Sweat lodge, 31, 106, 173, 196, 221, 233, 276.
• Sweeping, 230, 231.
• Swift Runner, 350.
• Sympathetic magic, 374, 375.
• Taboo violated, 28, 109, 254, 269.
• Talking flute, 29.
• Talking moccasins, 31.
• Talking skull, 32, 242, 270.
• Tawiskaro (Evil Mind), 9;
  • names of, 10.
• Tempter, 176, 177, 269, 294, 344.
• Text, interlinear, xix.
• Thaw, 15.
• Thrown away boy, 24.
• Thunder spirit, picture of, 7, 8, 218;
  • wars on horned serpent, 222, 225;
  • wars with giants, 341, 426;
  • house of, 428.
• Thunder wars upon horned serpent, 26, 219, 225–227, 428.
• Tide spirit, 16.
• Toad rescues hero, 266.
• Tobacco incense, 73,
  • demanded, 98, 186, 226, 242, 271, 332, 347;
  • offered, 386, 401, 424, 448.
• Toboggan, 250.
• Tonawanda, 366, 370.
• Totem, 208.
• Totemic carving, 42.
• Trail lodge, 278.
• Tripping on door-sill, 243.
• Transformation, 3, 23, 105, 244, 266, 295, 347, 352, 366, 378.
• Tucker, George L., xi, 456.
• Turkey (a character), 173, 200.
• Turtle outwits beaver, 309.
• Turtle, primal, 33, 62, 414, 418.
• Turtle shell rattles, 435.
• Turtle’s war party, 26, 305.
• Tusks, 356, 361.
• Twins, 63, 101, 126, 135, 268, 349, 412.
• Two Feathers, 184.
• Uncle and nephew, 25, 173, 184, 241, 253, 284.
• Underbed sanctuary, 28, 174, 202, 248, 249.
• Underground lodge, 169, 178.
• Underground playing, 27, 104.
• Underwater cave, 221.
• Unseen spirits, 3.
• Unstoppable song, 216.
• Unwelcome guest, 235.
• Usurper (see imposter), 228.
• Vampire corpse, 27, 278, 298, 381.
• Vulnerable spot, 127, 139, 348, 355, 361.
• Walker, B. N. O., cited, 420, f.n.
• Walking into ground, 29, 104.
• Walum Olam, 438.
• Wampum, 116, 131, 202, 404, 424.
• Wampum belt, 358.
• Wampum deer, 188.
• Wampum eagle, 32, 194, 198.
• Wampum spitting, 175, 181, 187.
• Wampum tears, 30, 114.
• War club, magical, 167.
• War god, 12.
• War party, 278, 342, 355.
• Washington, George, 45.
• Waterman, T. T., 459.
• Water swallowing, 28, 125.
• Wenroe, 45.
• Whirlwind, 6.
• White beaver, 17.
• White otter, magical, 266.
• White pebble, 32, 125, 189, 265.
• Wife hunt, 174.
• Wife rescues husband, 237.
• Will-o’-wisp, 16.
• Window peeker, 378.
• Winged light, 392.
• Witch doctor, 366, 373, 381.
• Witches, 131, 157, 158, 259, 344, 365;
  • overcoming, 370;
  • killed, 370, 372;
  • transformation, 378, 380.
• Witch mother-in-law, 189, 198, 259, 294.
• Wizardry, 159, 201, 246, 365.
• Wizards, 5, 168, 183, 201, 245, 253, 259, 260, 282, 300, 365.
• Wolf, 305, 312, 325, 387.
• Woodchuck, 322.
• Woodchuck Leggings, 184.
• World-Tree, 33, 416, 431, 434.
• Wright, Laura M., records interview, 421.
• Wyandots, 417;
  • myth of creation, 417.
• Youngest sister chosen, 86, 181, 268.
• Zephyr, 13.