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Native Languages of the Americas:
Native Central and South American Indian Legends and Folklore

This page is our collection of Native South and Central American Indian folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed these stories tribe 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. You may also want to visit our page of North American Indian legends, since the mythology of Mexico and the southern United States shares some similarities with the mythology of Central America and parts of South America. We may be adding more comparative pages as we go along, so check back often: this is a new section of our site.

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Note that since many children use this website, we have tried to avoid linking to any legends or stories which deal explicitly with sex or contain bad language, including slur words for Native Americans. However, like the folklore of any culture -- including European fairy tales -- there is often violence and bad behavior in American Indian folklore, so please use discretion about sharing them with younger children.

Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Central or South American Indian legend for this page or think one of the ones on here should be removed, please contact us and let us know.

Central and South American Indian Folklore

Achagua Indian Legends Akawaio Indian Legends Apalai Indian Legends Arawak Indian Legends
Aymara Indian Legends Bakairi Indian Legends Bogota Indian Legends Bribri Indian Legends
Carib Indian Legends Guarani Indian Legends Inca Indian Legends Makushi Indian Legends
Maya Indian Legends Miskito Indian Legends Pemon Indian Legends Warao Indian Legends
Wayuu Indian Legends Witoto Indian Legends



Central and South American Indian languages * American Indian words * American Indian art

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