Blackfoot mythology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are a vast array of myths surrounding the Blackfoot Native Americans as well as Aboriginal people. The Blackfeet inhabit the Great Plains, in the areas known as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and areas of Montana. These stories, myths, origins, and legends play a big role in their everyday life, such as their religion, their history, and their beliefs.[1] Only the elders of the Blackfoot tribes are allowed to tell the tales, and are typically difficult to obtain because the elders of the tribes are often reluctant to tell them to strangers who are not of the tribe.[1] People such as George B. Grinnell, John Maclean, D.C. Duvall, Clark Wissler, and James Willard Schultz were able to obtain and record a number of the stories that are told by the tribes.
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There are several creation stories found within Blackfoot culture; one of those is the creation Story involving Apistotoke. Apistotoke is the Creator (God). Also known as Ihtsipatapiyohpa, Iihtsipaitapiiyo'pa, or simply The Great Spirit. Although referred to and described as male, Apistotoke has no physical body, and is thus featureless as he is the divine creator.
Apistotoke created the first Sspommitapiiksi (Sky Beings): Naato'si (the Sun) to be light and warmth to all creation; Natosi's wife Ko'komiki'somm (the Moon); and their children (the stars), including Aapisowaahs (the hero Morning Star), to light the night sky for all creation. Apistotoke then created Ksahkomitapi (the Earth) to be mother to all creation.
Apistotoke then created Na'pi, the first man and demigod who shaped the world and created the rest of mankind. Na'pi (Old Man) was assisted by his wife Kipitaakii (Old Lady). Na'pi is said to have designed the earth using the mud collected by Turtle during a flood.[1][2] Some notable accounts replace the turtle with a muskrat.[3] He not only created men and women, but the animals and plants as well. Na'pi taught the Blackfoot people what plants to eat and animals to hunt, including their main food source, the buffalo.
Origin of the wind
In Blackfoot mythology, there are legends surrounding the origins of everything because, to them, everything has an origin. Napi is featured in the origin of the wind.[1] In this legend, Napi finds two bags containing summer and winter. Napi was determined to get a hold of these bags so that he could make the two seasons of equal months.[1] Napi tried to gain possession of the bags without success. He finally sent a prairie chicken, which successfully gained possession of the summer bag. The guardians of the bag chased after the animal, which tried to hide in the long grass. The guardians began slicing at the grass, cutting part of the chicken's body off and accidentally slicing open the bag in the process. The bag burst open and strong wind came out of it. Sometime after this, Napi burnt himself and was anxious for wind to cool the wound. He climbed to the top of a mountain and began "making medicine" to summon the wind. However, it blew so hard that he was nearly thrown off the mountain. He managed to survive by grabbing onto a birch tree. He clung to it so hard that his fingers left marks, giving the tree the distinctive pattern it has today.[1]