Indian language families
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Indian language families
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This is our collection of links to Makah folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed our Native American stories 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 Makahs, the traditional stories of related tribes like the Nootka and Kwakiutl tribes are very similar.
Hohoeapbess
(also spelled Ho-ho-e-ap-bess, or the Two Men Who Changed Things):
Twin Transformer characters, brothers of the sun and moon, who brought balance to the
world by using their powers to change people, animals, and the landscape into the forms they have today.
Raven:
Raven is the culture hero of the Makah and other Northwest Coast tribes.
He is a benevolent figure who helps the people,
but at the same time, he is also a trickster spirit and many Raven stories have to do with
his frivolous or poorly thought out behavior getting him into trouble.
Basket Ogress
(Sxwayo'k!u, Sxwaysh'klu, or Sxwayok in the Makah language):
A giant cannibal monster who catches human children and carries them off in her enormous pack basket.
When the Animals and Birds Were Created:Children Stolen by Cannibal Basket Woman:Makah Tsunami Legend:Weather Myths of Cascadia:Legends and Folklore of the Northern Lights:Little People of Oregon and Washington:Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest: 
Back to the American Indian animal index
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