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Native Languages of the Americas:
Hidatsa Indian Legends

This is our collection of links to Hidatsa folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed our Native American legends section by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to each other. In particular, though these legends come from the Hidatsas, the traditional stories of related tribes like the Mandan and Arikara tribes are very similar.

Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Hidatsa legend for this page or think one of the ones on here should be removed, please contact us and let us know.

Important Hidatsa Mythological Figures

Lodge-Boy and Spring-Boy (Hidatsa names Atutish and Mahaash, also spelled A-tu-tish, Ma-hash, Mahash, and other ways): These mythical twins whose mother was killed by a monster are common to the folklore of many Midwestern and Eastern tribes. After slaying four monsters the boys were given the collective war name Macee Nuubash (meaning Twin Men or Two Men,) by which they are also sometimes known. They are portrayed as heroic monster-slayers in Hidatsa legends, and Spring-Boy's suffering at the hands of their enemies was the origin of the Hidatsa Sun Dance.

Charred-Body: The uncle of the twins, Charred Body is a Hidatsa culture hero who led the people to the earth from their original home in the sky. However, he also introduced murder to the world by killing a woman who insulted him.

Hidatsa Indian Folklore

*Hidatsa Creation Myth: * Charred Body and First Creator:
    Hidatsa myth about the beginning of the world.
*Lodge-Boy and Spring-Boy:
    Story of the Hidatsa Twins and the origin of the Sundance or Hide-Beating ceremony.
*Unknown One, Son of Two Men:
    Hidatsa legends about the son of the mythic Twins.
*The Sun Dance:
    Hidatsa story about a Sundancer winning his wife.
*Kadhutetash and the Corn Ceremony:
    Legend behind the Hidatsa Corn Ceremony.

Recommended Books on Hidatsa Mythology

Hidatsa Texts:
    Collection of Hidatsa legends and folktales.
Mandan-Hidatsa Myths and Ceremonies:
    Anthropology text on the religious beliefs and traditions of the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes.
Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden:
    Interesting book about Native American farming traditions narrated by a Hidatsa woman.
Indian Legends from the Northern Rockies:
    Anthology of folklore from the Minitaree (Hidatsa) and other Northern Plains tribes.

Additional Resources

 Hidatsa religion and expressive traditions
 Books of Native American legends
 Native beliefs
 North Dakota Indian reservations
 The Plains Native Americans
 Siouan linguistics
 Hidatsa culture
 Native Indian peoples



Back to Native American gods and spirits
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Learn more about the Hidatsas.



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