The Creator supposed that if he stopped laughing, he might do better. However, as he kept laughing, his efforts did not turn out well. Ī Maidu myth says that as the Creator was fashioning various creatures out of clay, Coyote tried to do the same. Each animal makes a human model in their own likeness but overnight Coyote destroys the other models, so that only his own model comes to life. Coyote mocks them all, vowing that human beings should have his own wit and cunning. Each animal wants people to be imbued with its own best qualities, causing an argument. In a Miwok myth, Coyote creates all animals, then calls them to a council to discuss the creation of human beings. In a Shasta myth, Coyote saves the world from ten evil moons which have afflicted it with everlasting winter. Ī common theme is of Coyote benefiting the human community by organizing the theft of fire, or of the sun, from the supernatural beings who have been keeping it for themselves in these myths he is portrayed as a benefactor of the people. In the end, Earth Maker is forced to recognize that Coyote's power is equal to his own. Earth Maker orders the people to destroy Coyote, but despite their best efforts, Coyote uses supernatural trickery to outwit them. After it is completed, and Earth Maker has created the people, Coyote vows to spoil the world and introduce evil to it. In some stories he combines both roles.Īn example is a Maidu myth that says that at the beginning of time, a primal being called Earth Maker is floating on the infinite waters, when Coyote calls out to him. ![]() In many of these stories he is a major sacred character with divine creative powers in others he is a malevolent and often comical trickster. The ceremony is intended to restore the patient's harmonious relationship with Coyote and the world, and to bring about a return to good health.īy culture The coyote (Canis latrans), the animal on which the myths are basedĬoyote is featured in the mythology of a number of Indigenous cultures of the Americas, including:Ĭoyote is featured in the mythology of numerous peoples from the area covered by the modern state of California, including the Achomawi and Atsugewi, the Diegueños, the Gallinoméro the Juaneño, the Karok, the Luiseño, the Maidu, the Miwok, the Pomo the Rumsen, the Shasta, the Sinkyone, the Wappo, the Yana and the Yokuts. Coyote is the tutelary spirit of "Coyoteway", one of the Navajo curing ceremonies.
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