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This is our collection of links to Kumeyaay folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed our Native American tales 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 Kumeyaay tribe, the traditional stories of related tribes like the Yuma and Mohave are very similar.
Tuchaipai
(also spelled Tuchaipa, Tu-chai-pai, and other ways):
The great Creator god of the Kumeyaay tribe. He was poisoned by a vengeful Frog and died.
According to some Kumeyaay myths, his soul then became the moon, which can be seen every month
wasting away and dying, then being reborn.
Yokomatis
(also spelled Yokomat, Yo-ko-mat-is and other ways):
Tuchaipai's twin brother. In some Kumeyaay myths he is Tuchaipai's assistant in the creation of humankind;
in others he rules the underworld.
Chaup
(Shooting Star Boy):
A boy hero of Kumiai myths. His father and uncle are miraculous twins born without any father, and his mother and aunt
are daughters of the cannibalistic Buzzard people, who the young hero must defeat to escape.
Ceremonies and Traditions of the Diegueño Indians:
The Diegueno Story of Creation:
The Story of the Chaup:
The Fly At The Council:
The Impiety of Frog
Fiesta Tu-Chai-Pai:
Mythology of the Mission Indians:
Mythology of Southern California:
The Mythology of the Dieguenos, and the Story of the Chaup:
Back to Spirits and monsters
Back to the Kids animal stories
Learn more about the Kumeyaay nation

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