Native Languages of the Americas: Natchez Legends and Traditional Stories
This is our collection of links to Natchez folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed our Native American mythology 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 Natchez tribe, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the
Tunica and Chitimacha are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Natchez legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please contact us and let us know.
˜Lodge-Boy and Thrown-Away (or Lodge Boy and Wild Boy.)
These mythical twins, born when their pregnant mother was killed by a monster, are common to the folklore of many Midwestern and Eastern tribes.
Particularly in the Natchez and other Southeastern tribes, they are generally portrayed as rowdy monster-slayers who cause a lot of trouble during the
course of their adventures.
˜Olobit (also spelled Olobis, Olo'bit, Olo-Bit, and other ways.)
This is a monstrous serpent in Natchez folklore. It is similar to the horned serpent Uktena of the neighboring Cherokee tribe, and is occasionally referred
to by the Cherokee name.
˜Tlanuwa. This is a giant mythological bird of prey with deadly
feathers made of metal, common to the mythology of many Southeastern tribes. Tlanuwa is the Cherokee name for such a being-- although they
do feature in Natchez mythology, to the best of
our knowledge, the original Natchez name for these creatures was never recorded.
˜Tie-Snakes. These are mythological water spirits also common
to Southeastern Native American folklore. They are the size and shape of an ordinary snake, but have immense strength. Tie-Snakes live underwater and
were feared for their ability to catch humans and drag them underwater to drown.
Indian culture
Natchez Myths and Tales:
The Dog and the Flood: 
