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Native American Legends: Tirawa (Atius Tirawa)
Name: Tirawa
Tribal affiliation: Pawnee
Pronunciation: tee-rah-wah
Also known as: Tirawa Atius, Atius Tirawa, Tiriwa, Atiuch, Atius
Type: Native American Creator,
high god
Related figures in other tribes: Neshanu (Arikara),
Sky Chief (Caddo),
Gitche Manitou (Chippewa)
Atius Tirawa is the Creator god of the Pawnee tribe, who made the human race and set the other gods to their
tasks. His name means "Father Above" in the Pawnee language. Sometimes the
Plains Indian term "Great Spirit" is also used. Tirawa Atius is a divine spirit who
is not generally personified in Caddo folklore.
Tirawa Stories
Tirawa Atius and the Creation:
Pawnee myth about Tirawa Atius creating the world.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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The Pawnee Mythology:
Extensive collection of Pawnee legends and traditional stories.
Hold Up The Sky:
Anthology of legends from the Pawnee and other Southern Plains tribes.
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Additional Resources
Pawnee Indian mythology
Pawnee tribe
Pawnee alphabet
Kansas tribes
Pawnee culture
Plains Indians culture
Caddoan Indians
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