American Indian languages
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Native American Legends: Water Babies
Name: Water Babies
Tribal affiliation: Paiute,
Shoshone,
Washoe,
Achumawi,
Cahuilla,
Cupeño,
Luiseño,
Serrano,
Yokuts,
Salish
Native names: Paakniwat, Pa'oha'a, Pā'ōna, Paohmaa, Pangam kiktam, Pa'-nawi-s, Pa-nugis, Para Ub, s'o:lmexw
Also known as: Water-Babies, Waterbabies, Water-Baby Spirits
Type: Native American little people,
water spirit,
mermaid
Related figures in other tribes: Halfway-People (Mi'kmaq)
Water babies are mysterious and dangerous water spirits from the folklore of California and other
Western Native American tribes. Water-babies are said to inhabit springs and sometimes ponds or streams.
Water babies usually take the form of beautiful human infants (although in some tribes they have fish tails,
or appear as reptilian beings that merely make cries resembling human babies.) In many tribal traditions,
the cry of a water baby is an omen of death. In others, responding
to a water baby's crying by picking it up results in catastrophe.
Water Baby Stories
Washoe Legend Creatures:
Washoe stories about water babies and the Ong bird.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
Annikadel: The History of the Universe:
Collection of Achumawi mythology and oral history.
Surviving Through the Days: Translations of Native California Stories and Songs:
Anthology of myths and traditional literature from the California Indian tribes.
The Deetkatoo:
Traditional tales about little people from 14 different Native American tribes.
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Additional Resources
Shoshone mythology
Shoshone tribe
Paiute Indians
Washoe tribe
Indian tribes of California
Hokan language group
Learn more about the Shoshone Indians
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