Native Languages of the Americas: Navajo Legends and Traditional Stories
This is our collection of links to Navajo folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed our Native American folklore 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 Navajo tribe, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the
Apache and Pueblo tribes are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Navajo legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please contact us and let us know.
Anaye:
The Anaye were monstrous beings of the mythic age who feature often in heroic Navajo legends.
They included hairy headless Thelgeth/Theelgeth, carnivorous antelope Delgeth,
feathered Tsenahale/Tse'na'hale, and limbless twins Binaye Ahani. A few Anaye
are said to have survived to the present day, and those are Old Age, Poverty, Cold,
and Famine.
Pollen Path:
Collection of Navajo myths and legends.
And It Is Still That Way:
Charming anthology of legends told by Navajo and other Arizona Indian children.
Day and Night:
Bilingual children's book illustrating a Navajo legend about how night and day began.
Frog Brings Rain:
Children's book illustrating the Navajo legend of how Frog saved the first people from a great fire.
How The Stars Fell Into The Sky:
Picture book illustrating the Navajo myth about the creation of the stars.
The Stone Cutter and the Navajo Maiden:
Lovely children's book about the importance of the sacred corn-grinding stone to Navajo culture.
Sunpainters: Eclipse of the Navajo Sun:
Beautifully illustrated book by a Native artist about the significance of a solar eclipse to a Navajo family.
The Magic of Spider Woman:
Picture book based on Navajo legends about Spider Woman and the art of rug weaving.
Ziiniyah: How The Corn Was Saved:
Picture book illustrating a legend about a brave Navajo boy who goes on a quest to save his people's crops.
American Indian Trickster Tales:
Compilation of more than a hundred stories about Coyote and other Native American tricksters.
(Use discretion sharing these with kids as some of the stories contain adult humor.)
Indian Cultures
Anaye:
The Anaye were monstrous beings of the mythic age who feature often in heroic Navajo legends.
They included hairy headless Thelgeth/Theelgeth, carnivorous antelope Delgeth,
feathered Tsenahale/Tse'na'hale, and limbless twins Binaye Ahani. A few Anaye
are said to have survived to the present day, and those are Old Age, Poverty, Cold,
and Famine.
Navajo Myths:
Coyote Helps Create Man 
