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Native American Legends: Big Owl Man
Name: Big Owl
Tribal affiliation: Apache
Also known as: Giant, Owl-Man, Old Man Big Owl, Big Owl Witch, Owl Man Giant, Owl-Man Monster, Big-Owl, Big Owl Man, Big Owl Monster
Type: Giant,
antagonist,
owl
Big Owl is a malicious and dangerous giant often used as a "bogeyman" in children's stories.
In some Apache tribes, Big Owl also plays a more important mythological role as an early adversary of
the War Twins. Like other legendary Apache beings, Big Owl is sometimes described as having human
form (in this case a man-eating ogre) and other times animal form (in this case a
horned owl large enough to carry off a child.)
Sponsored Links
Coyote Proves Himself A Cannibal:
The Apache trickster Coyote gets the better of Big Owl.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
Apache Legends & Lore of Southern New Mexico:
Collection of Apache legends and traditional stories, including some about Big Owl.
And It Is Still That Way:
Charming anthology of legends told by Apache and other Arizona Indian children.
Additional Resources
Apache legends
Apache language
Apache Indians
Map of Arizona
Southwest Indian culture
Apache pronunciation
Na-Dene language family
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