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Native Languages of the Americas:
Juaneno Indian Legends, Myths, and Stories
This is our collection of links to Juaneno folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed our Native American myths section
by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same
story 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 Juanenos, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the Gabrielino and
Luiseno tribes are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Juaneno legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please let us know.
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Nocuma
(also spelled Nocoma, Nocumo, Tu'kma, Tukma and other ways):
The primordial Juaneno creator god, who created the earth and stuck a black rock called Tosaut (or Tu-cait) through its center to keep it in place.
Ouiot
(also spelled Owiot, Owiyot, Wiyot, and other ways): The legendary first chief of humanity.
According to Juaneno stories his people became tired of his rule
(because he had become either cruel or incompetent) and poisoned him, causing his death.
Chinigchinich:
The main god worshipped by the Juanenos, who rose to prominence after the death of Ouiot. He has gone by many different names
including Saor, Quagar, Tobet, Ouiamot, and others. He created the Juaneno tribe (who supplanted the previous people that once
had been led by Ouiot) and taught them morality and the arts of civilization before departing for the stars, where he is still considered
to be watching over the Mission Indians today.
Juaneno Indian Stories
Acjachemen Creation Myths:
Two differing versions of the Juaneno creation myth.
Mythology of the Mission Indians:
Online book of Juaneno and other Mission Indian myths and legends.
Chinigchinich:
Description of Juaneño mythology and religious traditions by a 19th-century Spanish friar.
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Additional Resources
Juaneno religion and expressive traditions
The Religion of the Indians of California
Books of American Indian folktalkes
Indian religion
California Native American tribes
California culture area
Uto-Aztecan language
Indian website

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