Indian language list * Indian tribe list * What's new on our site today!

Native Languages of the Americas:
Miwok Indian Legends

This is our collection of links to Miwok folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed our Indian 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 Miwoks, the traditional stories of related tribes like the Ohlone and Yokuts tribes are very similar.

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

Miwok Indian Folklore

*Miwok Myths:
    Collection of Miwok myths and legends.
*Miwok Creation Myth * Dawn of the World:
    Miwok myths about the origin of the world.
*Myths and Legends of the Yosemite Valley:
    Online book of Miwok legends from Yosemite.
*Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest:
    Online book about Southwest and California Indian mythology.
*The Coming of Thunder * Origin of Thunder and Lightning * Beginning of Thunder:
    Miwok versions of a typical California Indian legend about a fight between a bear family and a deer family.
*Tu-tok-a-na * Tu-tok-a-nu-la And Tis-sa-ack * Tis-sa-ack: * How Half-Dome Was Formed:
    Miwok stories about El Capitan and Half Dome.
*The Legend of the Lost Arrow:
    Miwok legend about a pair of tragic lovers.
*The Legend Of Yo-sem-i-te: * Origin of Yosemite:
    The story of Tenaya and the Yosemite Indians.
*The Legend Of Pi-wy-ack:
    Miwok tale about a faithful Mono wife.
*The Legend Of Loi-ya:
    Miwok tale about a lost maiden.
*Legend of the Fish-Women:
    A Miwok folktale about mermaids.
*Bridal Veil Fall:
    Miwok story of Bridal Veil Falls.
*Leaping Frog Rocks:
    Origin of the Kom-po-pai-ses.

Additional Resources

 Books of Native American legends
 Native spirituality
 The Religion of the Indians of California
 Miwok religion and expressive culture



Back to the Miwok homepage
Back to the Indian culture homepage
Read some American Indian poems



American Indian jewelry * American Indian baby names * Ataniel fiction * Indian hair styles

Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?

or buy some books through this link:

Native Languages of the Americas website © 1998-2007 * Contacts and FAQ page