American Indian language
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Native American Legends: Monkey People (Cet'aenn, Tcetin)
Name: Monkey People
Tribal affiliation: Ahtna,
Tanana
Native names: Cet'aeni, Cet'aenn, Tcetin
Pronunciation: ket-ann-ee or che-tin
Also known as: Tailed Old Men
Type: Little people,
monkeys,
antagonists
The Tcetin, or Monkey People, are legendary humanoid creatures with tails who lived in trees and caves.
They were said to be enemies of humans.
Their English name is a bit of a misnomer-- "Cet'aeni" and "Tcetin" are Athabaskan words
for monkeys, but only in the modern era (no monkeys have ever lived in Alaska.) The names
literally translate simply as "Tailed Ones."
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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In the Shadows of Mountains:
Collection of legends from the Copper River Ahtna tribe.
Our Voices: Native Stories of Alaska and the Yukon:
Collection of legends and oral history from the Athabaskan tribes.
Additional Resources
Ahtna stories
Ahtna tribe
Tanana tribe
Alaska Native Americans
Subarctic culture
Athabascan Indians
Learn more about the Ahtna people
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