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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 A-tu-tish and Ma-hash.) These mythical twins whose mother was killed by a monster are common to the folklore of many Midwestern and Eastern tribes. They are generally portrayed as heroic monster-slayers in Hidatsa legends.

Hidatsa Indian Folklore

*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.

Additional Resources

 Books of Native American legends
 Native beliefs
 Hidatsa religion and expressive culture



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