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Native Languages of the Americas:
Seneca Legends, Myths, and Stories
This is our collection of links to Seneca folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed our American 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, so you may also want to visit our page comparing stories from the
the Iroquois tribes (which
include the Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Mohawk, and Seneca Indians), since the traditional stories of those
tribes are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Seneca legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please let us know.
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Sky Woman:
The mother goddess of Seneca mythology, said to have fallen through a hole in the sky.
The Twin Gods:
Sky Woman's twin grandsons, Sky Holder
(Djuskaha) and Warty (Othagwenda.)
These twin deities were the creators and culture heroes of the Iroquois people.
Sky-Holder was the god of life and created many things to help humankind; his twin Warty
was the god of death and primarily caused destruction.
Hawennio:
The high god of Seneca mythology, a benevolent teacher and caretaker of the world.
Thunders:
Powerful storm spirits who live in the sky and cause thunder and lightning. Although they are
dangerous beings and their gaze can bring death to mortal men, they usually play a positive
role in Seneca myths and are typically portrayed as honorable and fair. The thunder god
Hine is their eldest brother and leader,
often called "Grandfather" by the Senecas.
Onatah:
Spirit of the Corn, a fertility goddess and one of the Three Sisters of Seneca agriculture.
Drum Dancers (Jogeon, in Seneca):
Little people of Seneca Indian legends. They are dwarf-like nature spirits about 2 feet tall.
Stone Coats (Genosgwa, in Seneca):
Mythological giants of the Iroquois tribes, with skin as hard as stone.
Flying Head (Dagwanoeient, in Seneca):
Monster in the form of a giant disembodied head, usually created during a particularly violent murder.
Naked Bear (Niagwahe, in Seneca):
A giant, hairless bear monster. Some people associate them with mammoths.
Doonongaes:
A dragon-like horned serpent of the Great Lakes, feared for its habit of capsizing canoes and eating people.
The Great Peacemaker and Hiawatha:
The legendary founders of the Iroquois Confederacy and architects of the Great Law.
Godasiyo:
Legendary female chief of the Seneca tribe.
Dry Hand:
Disembodied mummified arm of Seneca ghost stories.
Seneca Indian Myths:
Online collection of Seneca myths and legends.
The Powerful Boy:
Seneca legend of a mythical boy hero.
The Woman Who Fell From the Sky
Seek Your Father:
The Seneca myths of Sky Woman, her daughter and grandsons.
Godasiyo the Woman Chief:
Seneca story about a legendary Iroquois leader.
Bear's Race With Turtle
Turtle's Race With Bear:
Seneca folktale about Turtle teaching Bear a lesson.
Niagara Falls
The Sacrifice at Niagara Falls:
Seneca folklore about Niagara Falls and the Maiden of the Mist.
Brothers Who Followed The Sun:
Seneca legend about three mythical brothers.
Dagwanoenyent
The Flying Head:
Seneca legends about the whirlwind monster Dagwanoenyent.
Thunder Boy:
Seneca stories about the life of the hero Híno'Hoháwank.
The Origin of Stories:
Seneca legend about where storytelling came from.
Chipmunk and Bear
How Chipmunks Got Their Stripes:
Seneca legends about the origin of chipmunks.
Fox and Rabbit:
Seneca legend about how Rabbit escaped from Fox.
Spring Defeats Winter:
Seneca tale about the passing of the seasons.
Recommended Books on Seneca Mythology
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
Turtle's Race With Beaver:
Lively picture book illustrating a Seneca legend about Beaver.
Brother Wolf: A Seneca Tale:
Another good picture book based on a Seneca legend about Wolf and Raccoon playing tricks on each other.
Maiden of the Mist: A Legend of Niagara Falls:
Children's book based on the Seneca legend of Lelawala, the spirit of the waterfalls of Niagara.
Skunny Wundy: Seneca Indian Tales:
Book of Seneca legends and folktales.
Seneca Myths and Folk Tales:
Classic collection of Seneca Indian legends.
The Deetkatoo:
Great collection of traditional tales about little people from the Seneca and other tribes.
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Additional Resources
Longhouse Religion
Iroquois mythology
Native Indian beliefs
Seneca Indians
Seneca language
Reservations in New York
Iroquois Indians
Woodlands Native Americans
Information on American Indians

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