NAM - Evolution of the Myth Lesson

Joseph Campbell's view of mythology was by no means static, and his books describe in detail how mythologies evolved through time, reflecting the realities in which each society had to adjust. Various stages of cultural development have different yet identifiable mythological systems. One of these systems is seen in Native American mythology.

The Way of the Animal Powers: Hunting and Gathering Societies


At this stage of evolution religion was animistic, as all of nature was seen as being infused with a spirit or divine presence. At center stage was the main hunting animal of that culture, whether the buffalo for Native Americans or the eland for South African tribes, and a large part of religion focused on dealing with the psychological tension that came from the reality of the necessity to kill versus the divinity of the animal. This was done by presenting the animals as springing from an eternal archetypal source and coming to this world as willing victims, with the understanding that their lives would be returned to the soil or to the Mother through a ritual of restoration. The act of slaughter then becomes a ritual where both parties, animal and mankind, are equal participants. In Mythos and The Power of Myth, Campbell recounts the story he calls "The Buffalo's Wife" as told by the Blackfoot tribe of North America. The story tells of a time when the buffaloes stopped coming to the hunting plains, leaving the tribe to starve. The chief's daughter promises to marry the buffalo chief in return for their reappearance, but is eventually spared and taught the buffalo dance by the animals themselves, through which the spirits of their dead will return to their eternal life source. Indeed, Campbell taught that throughout history mankind has held a belief that all life comes from and returns to another dimension which transcends temporality, but which can be reached through ritual.

Animals were used in stories and often displayed on totems to depict characteristics of an individual or group. Take a look below to see how Native Americans used animals to represent important aspects of life. Remember that like religions, animal symbolism often varied by tribe. Read more about totems in the sidebar.

Animals and Symbolic Meanings Activity

Animal Tricksters in Native American and Indian Mythology

Coyote is a mythological character common to many Native American cultures, based on the coyote animal. This character is usually male and is generally anthropomorphic although he may have some coyote-like physical features such as fur, pointed ears, yellow eyes, a tail and claws. The myths and legends, which include Coyote, vary widely from culture to culture.

Coyote shares many traits with the mythological figure Raven.

Many Native American cultures have oral traditions that involve animals that speak. Throughout eastern North America, it was typically the rabbit, which was the "trickster." However, the Uncle Remus Tales exactly match the ancient children's stories of the Creek Indians of Georgia, the Carolinas and Alabama. Furthermore, Creek farmers made frequent use of pine tar from long leaf pines. It was applied to carved wooden objects and statues as a means of catching rodents near granaries and barns.

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