North American Mythology: Research Starters Topics

North American Mythology: Research Starters Topics

The word myth is derived from the Greek work mythos, meaning “speech” and “discourse,” and then evolved to mean “legend” or “fable.” While there is no uniform definition of myth, there are many kinds, including creation myths, flood myths, myths of nation and races, and myths of the future. There are numerous Research Starter articles related to North American mythology. The list below includes the most relevant Research Starter items.

George Washington and the Cherry Tree

How Jack O’Lanterns Came to Be

Iroquois Creation Story

La Llorona, Omen of Death

Legend of John Henry

Legend of the Buffalo Dance (Blackfoot myth)

Ottawa Creation Story

Paíyatuma and the Maidens of the Corn

Raven Steals Daylight from the Sky (Inuit folktale)

Sedna, Goddess of the Sea

Shaman Isaac Tens

Sioux Creation Story

Talk Concerning the First Beginning (Zuni creation myth)

The Fight with the Water Monster

The Girl Who Married a Gnome

The Legend of Joaquín Murrieta

Wunzh (American Indian folktale)