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Native American Legends: Chirich
Name: Chirich
Tribal affiliation: Arikara
Alternate spellings: Scirihts
Pronunciation:schee-reetch
Also known as: Coyote
Type: Animal spirit,
trickster,
coyote
Related figures in other tribes: Coyote (Plains)
The coyote deity Chirich is the trickster figure of Arikara mythology. He is clever but
reckless, and is forever getting himself and the people around him into trouble, particularly through
socially inappropriate behavior like greediness, boastfulness, lying, and chasing women. Like modern
cartoon characters, Chirich frequently dies during the course of his adventures and returns randomly
to life-- it is impossible to truly get rid of that trickster for good. Chirich stories are often humorous
in nature, but they can also be cautionary tales about the consequences of bad behavior and the dangers
of interacting with irresponsible people.
The Magic Windpipe:
An Arikara story about the trickster coyote Chirich.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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Myths and Traditions of the Arikara Indians:
Collection of Arikara legends and oral history.
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Additional Resources
Arikara gods
Arikara Indians
Arikara history
North Dakota reservations
Plains Indian tribes list
Caddoan
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