The Strange & Terrifying Creatures of Native American Folklore

[@MythologyFictionExplained]

Spearfinger horror movie when???

[@lilbill7385]

Can you do a video on Hawaiian myths

[@SI-ln6tc]

Do one on tupulak/tupulaq among Inuits.

[@Werewolf914]

That'd be amazing I'd be all for it even if it's just a short horror film on KZbin

[@JoseMolina-jz9hh]

I was just dreaming up the high concept as I lwas listening. Deer woman es fascinating, I heard a strange sound, camping in Kern's county, a group of women giggling in the woods, while my buddy and I stayed up late after the bonfire. Everyone had gone yo their tents by that point. Had to be 2... 3 AM maybe. One inaudible voice came closer from the "party" happening beyond the trees like 8 ft from where we're sitting. I think im imagining things, until my friend took the words right out of my mouth, "that laugh was--" "mischievous."

[@evodolka]

@@SI-ln6tc i know I'D like to see some Inuit myths on this channel

[@arkinyte13]

You only scratched the surface, there are thousands of mythical creatures from Native American folklore!! Thanks for the vid it’s now one of my favorites.

[@informedconsumer5293]

“Scratched” because Spearfinger 👀👀🖕🏾🤪🤣😂🤣😂

[@arkinyte13]

@@informedconsumer5293 Nice.

[@SunGodSe]

@@informedconsumer5293 oh I see what you did there

[@jaxthewolf4572]

@@informedconsumer5293 Hahaha

[@rebellious7563]

Where do i find more of these??

[@lythnookwemin]

Just wanted to point out, underworld does not equal evil in the north eastern tribal legends. Mishipeshu, is a horned serpent, has ties to the underworld, yet is a guardian of the great lakes. I also love the similarities between the many horned serpents/ thunderbirds, and the Garuda/ Nagas. My people have always had a broader spectrum of morality, very few things are straight up evil. Now cannibalism and abuse are. But of course this is in comparison to a more good/evil culture I have observed in people around me, even partly raised in.

[@M.C.G.]

cannibalism? is there something in my food?

[@chwig7354]

Abuse is not evil?

[@chadfalardeau5396]

@@chwig7354 I think they meant abuse is one of the few things that isn't a a grey area

[@lythnookwemin]

@@chwig7354 Not in some cultures. But in is in the Ojibwa nation.

[@DavidJohnson-pu2jh]

You know scientists have figured out the mysteries of the wendigo right It's no longer just a myth First off in all of the legends and myths about the Wendigo the key feature is they eat other humans because they're cannibals The biological negative effects of being a cannibal Start by contracting the human equivalent of mad cow disease shortly after this the adrenaline gland in your brain will swell up and go into OverDrive creating two to three times the normal amount of adrenaline that it's supposed to this in turn increases the cannibals metabolism As well as making them really strong because they're almost constantly amped up on adrenaline but with an increased metabolism they are also almost always hungry which leads them to going after their favorite food more and speeding up the transformation process As this process goes on the intelligence of the cannibal will continue to go down as in they become less cognitive and more animalistic even in the early stages they become more Hotheaded and aggressive as it goes on it becomes harder and harder for them to blend into society midway through the infection process the buildup of bacteria and parasites as a result of eating other humans Will cause mange the skin will turn a kind of pale grayish color all the hair on the cannibal's body will fall out also sunlight slightly irritates the skin Real life cannibals in captivity that were studied that had reached this point usually can barely talk speaking some form of broken language but they describe this irritation as itching Another thing that causes them to want to avoid the sun and other bright lights is a parasitic infection in the eyes making them horribly sensitive too bright sunlight and other bright lights again those who could still talk and be understood described the feeling as a stabbing pain in the eyes all of this occurs midway to the end of the transformation process if you're wondering what it looks like the best way I can describe it is they remind me of Gollum from Lord of the rings But less intelligent Other than having two to three times the strength of a normal man cannibals who have become full Wendigos Also have an increase in the sense of smell hearing and as their eyes adjust they get really good at seeing in the dark but ironically all of these attributes can be used against them you detonate one flash bang grenade Close to them and the loud noise and bright light overload there senses if it doesn't kill them instantly it will knock them out cold so I guess the legendary monster isn't as tough as we all thought well as long as you No their strengths and weaknesses It is also a very good thing that cannibalism is extremely rare in the world today

[@DreamFearEternal]

Please do a video on Jamaican folklore. It is rich with monsters such as the Rolling Calf, Duppy and the White Witch of Rose Hall!

[@johng53]

^

[@BoredBookAddict]

That would be awesome.

[@mecahhannah]

Would love to hear some Jamaican folklore

[@katmack4215]

Sounds interesting 👍

[@marktwayne9796]

I know the first two but what is the White Witch story?

[@benjaminjohnson9827]

Discussing Skinwalkers also strengthens their powers.. also why they aren’t spoken of.

[@Saskguy20]

Same with the W-men (wendigo)

[@AnjelCaido69]

Oops

[@augustajeter6035]

Really? I think my workplace makes Skinwalker Ranch look like heaven. Everyone is always talking about the things going here...keeps getting worse.

[@The-Beyonder]

@@augustajeter6035 what's the worst thing that happened at your place?

[@katiehorton5507]

yes i heard that too. also dont look or listen to one if it shows itself to you. you will be possessed.

[@jaxthewolf4572]

As someone with Cherokee blood, I was waiting patiently to see the Uktena be mentioned, you even featured the spearfinger. I am not disappointed

[@PerfectYakon2219]

Uktena I remember a native american movie called Dreamkeeper where a warrior meets an elk warning him about Uktena the serpent that protects her water from humans

[@pyromaniac000000]

When discussing native american folklore you HAVE to discuss the many tales of the great Raven. Almost every tribe had their own tales of ravens or one specific Raven, many even as the creators of the universe. The Raven is a massive symbol for most native tribes, definitely worth a video if you havent already

[@jflapointe1888]

You do realize that the video is called strange and terrifying creatures, right? You said so yourself, the raven is pretty common in the folklore; it is neither strange nor terrifying. It can do terrifying things, I guess, but his nature/appearance ain't.

[@pyromaniac000000]

@@jflapointe1888 and? It also says “native american folklore” so whats your point? You forget your second grade reading skills today? Forgot to read the entire sentence before being an ass for no reason at all? He almost never talks about native american folklore, and now that he’a finally dipping into it he should cover one of the most interesting and diverse bits of native american folklore, The Raven.

[@pyromaniac000000]

@M J i never saw it so probably the second grader who decided to nitpick a random youtube comment

[@corvusscottwilliams4751]

Raven Medicine Strong

[@DavidJohnson-pu2jh]

You know scientists have figured out the mysteries of the wendigo right It's no longer just a myth First off in all of the legends and myths about the Wendigo the key feature is they eat other humans because they're cannibals The biological negative effects of being a cannibal Start by contracting the human equivalent of mad cow disease shortly after this the adrenaline gland in your brain will swell up and go into OverDrive creating two to three times the normal amount of adrenaline that it's supposed to this in turn increases the cannibals metabolism As well as making them really strong because they're almost constantly amped up on adrenaline but with an increased metabolism they are also almost always hungry which leads them to going after their favorite food more and speeding up the transformation process As this process goes on the intelligence of the cannibal will continue to go down as in they become less cognitive and more animalistic even in the early stages they become more Hotheaded and aggressive as it goes on it becomes harder and harder for them to blend into society midway through the infection process the buildup of bacteria and parasites as a result of eating other humans Will cause mange the skin will turn a kind of pale grayish color all the hair on the cannibal's body will fall out also sunlight slightly irritates the skin Real life cannibals in captivity that were studied that had reached this point usually can barely talk speaking some form of broken language but they describe this irritation as itching Another thing that causes them to want to avoid the sun and other bright lights is a parasitic infection in the eyes making them horribly sensitive too bright sunlight and other bright lights again those who could still talk and be understood described the feeling as a stabbing pain in the eyes all of this occurs midway to the end of the transformation process if you're wondering what it looks like the best way I can describe it is they remind me of Gollum from Lord of the rings But less intelligent Other than having two to three times the strength of a normal man cannibals who have become full Wendigos Also have an increase in the sense of smell hearing and as their eyes adjust they get really good at seeing in the dark but ironically all of these attributes can be used against them you detonate one flash bang grenade Close to them and the loud noise and bright light overload there senses if it doesn't kill them instantly it will knock them out cold so I guess the legendary monster isn't as tough as we all thought well as long as you No their strengths and weaknesses It is also a very good thing that cannibalism is extremely rare in the world today

[@MaliaMydnight]

Me, an Algonquin: Well. You got it mostly right. To be honest, while only scratching the surface of Native lore, I have to say this is absolutely the most respectful and well put video on our lore I've seen yet. Thank you. 👏🏼💜

[@Werewolf914]

Native Folklore has so many of my favorite creatures, the Wendigo has been my favorite Monster of all time ever since I learned about it in Lost Tapes, I'd love to learn about even more Creatures from all the different tribes. Native culture and folklore is pretty uncommon unless it's a stereotype like Indian Burial Grounds in horror which that trope makes no sense and I hate it.

[@MaliaMydnight]

@@Werewolf914 Ahh...haa...your favorite is one of the worst. 😂 But you're right. We don't talk a lot about our lore mostly because we believe talking about the bad ones and saying their names draws them to you. So trying to find correct lore is tough. I hate the most when people just use the names and bad, incorrect lore for some crappy creepypasta.

[@Saskguy20]

@@Werewolf914 We don't even say that name, you're just calling it to you. I just say the W-man lol

[@LaineyBug2020]

@Malia Midnight I'm part Algonquin and working on a family mystery you might be able to help with. My Grandma used to be deathly afraid of what she called Mendozits (no idea how to actually spell it) that were supposed to be some kind of fireball spirits that your ancestors would send after you if you were bad. Her mom was 1/2 Potawatomi and 1/2 Kickapoo. Some of her white husbands niblings would torment her that the Mendozits were chasing her whenever they were in the car with her when they were kids so she pretty much stopped talking about anything before my generation was born. My mom told me about them once, but I could never get anyone else to talk about them and can't find anything online. Have you heard of anything like them?

[@MaliaMydnight]

@@LaineyBug2020 (I just woke up lmao) it seems familiar, but I know I have others I can talk to and see what they know. And honestly? Native tiktok. I've learned and connected with my family (tribe and as a people) that way. But, can you spell out how the word sounds? I think I got it, but just to make sure.

[@johnoneil9188]

The deer woman was probably my favourite. She must pack a mean kick with those hooves. When it comes to native American folklore one creature I like a lot is the waheela. It is pretty much a mix between a dire wolf and a bear.

[@jamesdunlap6856]

Dear lord, that dog sounds horrifying.

[@stephaniemomma]

She’s featured in Reservation Dogs on Hulu if you haven’t already seen it. Legitimate Native American writer and actors, so you know it’s authentic and accurate 🙂

[@Amy_the_Lizard]

Hooves are also sharper than most people assume them to be, so there'd probably be a decent amount of slicing damage in addition to the blunt force trauma

[@A_Wee_spook]

@@stephaniemomma yas!!

[@tomkatt8274]

Hello, fellow GF fan.

[@thedragonking9541]

You forgot to mention about the Underwater Panthers. They are similar to the Uktana and Thunderbirds, but they are the guardians of copper.

[@stevee.asherhouseofasherpo8367]

Awesome

[@arkinyte13]

Thunderbirds, Utktena and water Panthers are all rivals in some tribes. I’d love to see that three way battle.

[@davidward9927]

Thunderbird is my nephew reincarnated and I'm the spirit of the under water panther u talk about then God did an equal and opposite reaction now I'm the pheonix of folklore. Pokémon depicts me as moltres and my nephew as Zapdos. Or he once was called the northern star from what God told me. I was reincarnated to be the cowboy out of the movie to say to the enemy shoot for the stars. The pheonix is a created being that has supernatural instincts which are a phenomenon to how it lives. For me I was born lord so iv been busy visiting people from the past life. The last air bender avatar is written about me and my brother. I'm ang and my brother is the fire nation leader or hades the devil.

[@Nobody-dc8dp]

I've seen one

[@danielfatone3994]

Arkinye basically Zeus Poseidon and hades

[@AnnaBridgland]

This was really interesting - the deer woman reminds me of the Baobhan sith from Scottish folklore, a vampiric fairy with deer hooves. The behaviour of hiding partially behind the tree, luring men away and pretending to be human only to later reveal her true nature is also an integral part of the huldra/skogsrå legend from Scandinavia - strange that the exact same thing is found in folklore from the other side of the world!

[@christineking2855]

I’ve heard and read legends about the Baobhan Sith too.

[@stevee.asherhouseofasherpo8367]

I wonder of she has a connection to Lilith?

[@davidortiz3094]

Same with religion. You can find a lot of similarities

[@arthurchadwell9267]

I have noted strong similarities between native beliefs of tribal people in America and the old Celtic lands. I have blood from both and it's fascinating how much seems to match up.

[@ceddyspaghetti7905]

Much respect to our Native American brothers and sisters from New Zealand 😎👍🇳🇿

[@PREPFORIT]

These are fascinating I had friends and babysitters growing up that were indigenous Canadians. Some stories were happy and positive some were terrifying. and some turned out to be true...

[@valaraukar_595]

I'd love to hear more. Especially about the ones that turned out to be true.

[@kerwinbrown4180]

Indigenous Canadians? What tribe? A border tribe might have territory in both the USA and Canada.

[@zehlua]

Mood

[@tokejones9278]

Not true. Critical thought and healthy skepticism keep people with just an average IQ from sharing silly stories people shared around campfires to scare each other.

[@rottbite2403]

@@tokejones9278 ok white man

[@travisnunya7960]

My mom's a full blooded Navajo and has some stories related to skinwalkers since she was adopted by a medicine woman / shaman after her alcoholic mother abandoned her at birth..I need to try and get her to share her experiences.. they don't like talking about skinwalkers much if at all...

[@Flyawaybutter]

It makes sense they wouldnt want to talk about it but it’s so sad to think about the legends and culture that would die with them😢 my grandma is the same way, shes not native shes just italian and used to be part of a m0b family but wont tell me anything

[@augustus6944]

we aren’t supposed to say their names nor acknowledge their existence bc that alone can attract them to you, that if they existed 🤫😉

[@uBpGK]

My cousins grandpa taught us that they get their power from the fear they induce, you just gotta remain brave and realize these are cowards who couldn’t face their humanity. Just gotta yell at them to take off their masks since knowing and seeing their true identity will kill them, he even yelled at one a drove it off from a ceremony they were having. They’re much more of a annoyance nowadays with all these families cursing one another for stupid reasons but at least the medicine men and women can still make a living off their practices.

[@Raccon_Detective.]

Fun fact:Wendigos in Algonquin mythology don't have deer skulls. The reason why they have deer skulls in pop culture because in 2011 a movie named "wendigo" featured a wendigo having a deer skull, that's where the skull came from. But the algauqian people were angry about that.

[@rm2kking]

Yeah I like them in that one video game for the PS4. I can’t remember the name of the game, but the Wendigos in it looked like a cross between Gollum and a shaven werewolf, with razor teeth and blinding speed. It was awesome.

[@Raccon_Detective.]

@@rm2kking You mean "Until Dawn"?

[@lordinquisitor6233]

I dunno I kinda like the deer skull interpretation

[@jybutbynyn]

why were they angry?

[@Saskguy20]

@@jybutbynyn they were cursed and corrupt people who had eaten human flesh.

[@SkyluThandee]

Please do some on African , Native, Cherokee , Sioux, Caribbean etc , more I've rarely seen videos in depth on them .

[@ChaosofMindZX]

I'm half Native American so I'm always happy to hear more about stuff retaining to them. Blackfoot tribe btw.

[@camiloiribarren1450]

I’m super excited for this.

[@Saskguy20]

Plural for Blackfoot is.... Blackfoot. I'm Cree but when people say "Blackfeet" I cringe. They're not frostbitten.

[@zehlua]

Greetings from Muckleshoot!

[@RealCleanGoblin]

@@Saskguy20 they get the name "Blackfoot" from when the Cree used to chase them through their burnt crops.

[@on_6933]

The Deer Woman is awesome, the definition of chaotic good

[@alexriddles492]

The deer woman sounds like a Maniteau. They were often depicted in native rock art. When Lewis and Clark went up the Missouri they found paintings on the bluffs near what is now Rocheport Missouri that depicted the Maniteau. It was a human figure with the antlers of a deer.

[@AhNee]

She figures in an episode of "Reservation Dogs" on Hulu.

[@brandonkelbe]

What are the names of these beings?

[@crystalking8280]

Could be the case with convicted serial killer Aileen wuornos.

[@mosesnunez1326]

She kinda bad

[@rayparenteau]

The "See? I'm basically Spanish now." is why I love this channel. Anybody can make a dry video on mythology, but these videos have the personality where you want to listen, and even deep dive when it's over on your own. Keep em coming 🤙

[@michaelkrull3331]

The Thunderbird sounds similar in role and attributes to the Indo-European sky gods, down to the animosity with an underworld serpent: Thor vs. Jormundgandr, Zeus vs. Typhon. These gods are also occasionally represented as eagles.

[@abid5087]

Birds of prey like eagles often eat snakes. It’s fascinating to see how myths from all over the world take that conflict and scale it up in their stories

[@juliangiuggioli7728]

Typhon in Greek mithology wasn't a snake, it was a human-donkey- bat hybrid

[@mario_maniac9368]

It's always awesome to hear more about the native American folklore it's so interesting and mysterious

[@YellowCapeInvincible]

When speaking about native folklore you should look into the native folklore south of the border. The natives of Mexico and Central America would tell tales of beings known as Nahuals. They have the ability to shape shift into animals, just like skinwalkers.

[@nathan9368]

It's real it's not fake

[@YellowCapeInvincible]

@@nathan9368 lol what ?

[@nicholastuckett4363]

It Is Your Right

[@hameley12]

Once my father visited his friend In Mexico, he used to live in a rural area. Me and two of my cousins were there. We came across some old books, scrolls, etc. We asked questions about it. Senor Gerrera told us that nearby there was a Nahual reservation, they are kept in small numbers and aren't allowed to eat any meat. The natives feed them a decent vegetarian meal. Our minds were blown. Lol! Then he cautioned us not to walk around the house outside late at night. I don't know if he said that to scare us or educate us. Sadly, he passed away on June 2018. He still looked quite young to die suddenly.

[@big_sk4ian424]

It's pretty common my culture has a war story about one

[@paigeharrison3909]

My cousins in Oklahoma were terrified of Deer Woman. They believed that if you said her name 3 times in a row you could summon her. So naturally anytime we were out at night I'd start repeating her name. I was such an awful kid.

[@swantonbomb0395]

if i was a kid i wouldve sobbed

[@Shooting-gallery223]

Wait that true ohhh I’m so gonna try this thx

[@Dennis-nc3vw]

Hey, you disproved his superstition.

[@ZSASM7.62]

@@Dennis-nc3vwThe real question is why they were afraid 😳

[@arthurchadwell9267]

​@@ZSASM7.62 true -it sounds like she won't hurt you unless you're being a dick! Even then you get a warning first. I can't help but wonder: how does she treat single men?

[@tomb7901]

I might have seen a thunderbird. I was around 7. My older brothers were playing catch and I was sitting on the steps. I looked up and saw massive wings. I shouted, "I think that's a pegasus or a roc! (We played Dungeons and Dragons). My brothers looked and were freaked out. We had seen eagles, hawks, cranes, geese..... all of the large birds in the region, and this thing totally dwarfed them. I never forgot that and years later, I was watching a TV show that mentioned a string of incidents about a thunderbird in the area that happened right at that time. 1982-ish, Illinois.

[@lenosflarrethedragonking4300]

Most likely it was a condor, as it has a massive wingspan.

[@mr.e6748]

Nice pfp

[@tomkatt8274]

@@lenosflarrethedragonking4300 Well, they caught at the UFO hysteria too.

[@pinesandtraplines]

Look into the teratornis and argentavis birds. The teratornis was said to have gone extinct 10,000 years ago, which is would put it within human history.

[@katiehorton5507]

the thunderbird is one of my spirit helpers. although he may be scary looking he is a great spirit to have around. i was born in 1982 and i heard about the same incident around that time years later. and come to find out thunderbird is one of my spirit guides it is pretty interesting. as we have not heard about another sighting since. I have seen it's spirit form before thunderstorms and each time we have a good thunderstorm I'm cleansed of bad energy. also the egyptian god seth associates with weather too he is my patron deity. and under my birth sign both thunderbird and Set are under the sign. that is cool you might have seen thunderbird my dad said he saw one years ago too.

[@Cancoillotteman]

The Spearfinger is in Tenessee and Montana, with skin made of stone (like a fossil for instance) ? Many Cretatious Dromeosaurides (also known as "raptors") were found in the Montana formations. Go figure where this finger came from ^^

[@M.C.G.]

nice

[@Missfenyxx]

I believe Spearfinger from this story might actually come from he traditional Choctaw religious mortition /undertaker. Their ceremonies for the dead and rituals start by placinging the dead on a platform until the Bone Picker/ Bone Collector can use her long sharpened fingernails to separate the flesh from the bones. She often smells of death and is often elderly.

[@Cancoillotteman]

@@Missfenyxx there is likely indeed a mix between material proofs (the fossils) and local folklore, you are right !

[@tokejones9278]

Finger bones are found in every animal on Earth. It's a trait from Evolution. Chickens have finger bones. Every winged bird has finger bones. Bats have finger bones and they're not birds. Whales have hip bones. Go check out a website that teaches science and it's all made very clear.

[@LeoniFermer-vi4dc]

Fossils of ice age mammals found in Greece were also turned into evidence of Cyclops and Titans by the ancient Greek Myth makers.

[@miss_xandra_mars]

*sees a video on Native American mythological figures* Oh I wonder if they'll mention the wendigo again. *wendigo is mentioned first and thus am reminded of the wendigo Dark World episode* I miss the Dark World series. But I am glad you explored more figures from these cultures. Aside from the wendigo, uktena and skin-walkers were always my personal favorites. So it's great to hear you talk about them. And even tho I've see the videos here on KZbin, I still listen to them on your podcast. I just love the way you narrate the stories

[@MythologyFictionExplained]

There will be an episode 3 of Darkworld coming.

[@peterkelley6344]

@@MythologyFictionExplained I also hope you, at some point, look at even more indigenous American Myths. As a Caucasian I find these to be interesting to learn about.

[@oklaNana]

I'm Cherokee Indian and this is pretty accurate and well put together, ty :)

[@Mr.Atari2600]

I live near a town called "Alton" in Illinois, in Alton we have a famous Creature known the "Piasa Bird" who say brought terror to many around the land until a Chief manage to defeat it with a Poison Arrow & fell into the Mississippi River.

[@jeremyfrost2636]

I've heard of that, even though I'm in a different part of Illinois.

[@Amy_the_Lizard]

I've heard of that one!

[@jeffcreech7010]

I have buddy that works for the Corps of Engineering and have asked about that area. They dredge only so deep but things do get sucked through pumps....

[@jennyrose9454]

I had a book as a young child with a drawing of a piasa. Its pronounced pie a saw and they are humans

[@jennyrose9454]

Ate. They ate humans

[@ishmiel21]

The story of spear finger was my favorite because it was one I hadn’t heard a bunch of times before. Thanks for the awesome new information!

[@zehlua]

PNW Native here. I can partly explain the uktena or horned serpent, as we have a similar monster in our mythology called a snake deer. Recently we discovered that the snake deer might have been the ancestor of a toxic newt that currently resides in California. The original newt, the snake deer, was a large ambush predator that secreted neurotoxins capable of making animals and humans hallucinate and convulse. The snake deer would lay in wait in muddy, swampy areas, or ponds, and eat whatever got too close. Native Americans hunted them to extinction with ranged weapons such as arrows and spears, both to study their possible medicinal properties, and to prevent the snake deer from killing any more people as we expanded our villages, towns, cities, and hunting and foraging territories. We have a tribal library and archive with several stories about snake deer, and one of the many reasons why we concluded that this was a real animal and not a legend was because the stories about them almost exclusively revolved around the act of killing them. Consistently, the stories were hunting experiences recounted in detail, as if to teach others how this creature may be defeated. If not hunting triumphs, then the stories were about close calls, or someone being killed. A particularly gruesome story involved two brothers getting too close to the creature, and one of them falling into the mud around it. The elder brother pulled his younger brother from the mud, and they both looked at the monster nearby. It was believed that snake deer was so terrifying, certain people looking upon it would bend and convulse on the ground in fear. We now know these as either seizure symptoms or symptoms of hallucinogens/neurotoxins. The elder brother threw two spears at the snake deer, one of which broke, and the other pierced it enough to kill it. The younger brother had lasting damage from this encounter, such as trouble speaking and performing daily tasks, suggesting brain damage. The elder brother waited until the snake deer was dead and dissolved in the mud before that area was safe to hunt in. Horns and patterns on the snake deer vary from story to story, or are not even mentioned at all. However, branched horns like a stag for whatever reason meant the snake deer was less likely to attack. Maybe this was a difference in sex or life stage of the animal. Maybe there were subspecies or variants of the newt with different horns, and different temperaments. The legends from my tribe do not include any magical forehead crystals. This is the first I'm hearing about that! From a creature design standpoint, that sounds really cool, but I haven't heard that in our stories

[@auntie-angie-2112]

Hello Zehlua thank you for this fascinating information. I also live in the PNW (Oregon Coastal Range) I was wondering, if you are willing to relate, what is your tribe? I am hoping to correspond with a tribal member from the PNW who would be willing to discuss the Forest People with me, as they live on and around the land on which I also dwell. As we share a beautiful mountainside, I feel it incumbent upon me to understand how to co-exist with them, and to honor them as much as is possible. I do not have any Native blood but was honored to study with a Ho-Chunk Medicine Woman in my early 20s. She declared me an honorary Human Being. I practice what she taught me every day. A-ho to you, and all relations.

[@zehlua]

@@auntie-angie-2112 I'm part of a small tribe further north of you, I'll say that. Our language is different as well, I've never heard of the term "A-ho," but thank you, I appreciate the sentiment As for forest people, do you mean stick Indians or Bigfoot? Different procedures for each

[@auntie-angie-2112]

@@zehlua Ah yes I know about the Stick Indians, but I was speaking of "Bigfoot". I could use advice on both, actually (not many white people know or speak about the Stick Indians. Does naming them draw them to you I wonder?) Can you tell me, are there different types of "Bigfoot" around here, some being more or less aggressive than others? (I have read info that some come from another planet through portals and are more compassionate, actual healers, and do not eat meat. Then there are others who evolved on this planet who are meat eaters, and very aggressive. I read they eat their prey alive when possible.) Does your tribe have another name for these beings? I have clearly been told by them that they do not like the term "Bigfoot" and prefer the use of local native names. As for "A-ho" I was taught it means something kin to "Amen" it can also be used to mean "thank you", "Yes", &/or "I agree". I was told it encompasses the concept of including ALL RELATIONS into your prayers, and therefore I use it every day, as I do not want any life of any kind to be excluded from my protective prayers ;)

[@zehlua]

@@auntie-angie-2112 Yes, we're not to say the words that call them. Or whistle at night. Stick Indians in my area like to light things on fire with their hands. I don't know how that works, but singed handprints appear in places and on people. I don't know anything about any of these people coming from other planets, that's beyond my current belief system

[@auntie-angie-2112]

Thank you for this information. I sense that the Stick Indians are here in this area. I think one (or more) was/were watching my husband and me when we were doing a ceremony at our medicine wheel this past Spring Solstice. I felt something watching and turned towards to West, then a random stick fell out of a tree, punching itself into the ground so that it stood upright. There was no wind to cause it to fall, let along puncture the ground. I knew it was "something else" but was not sure what. (I felt very definitely that I should not go over to it, and so I left it alone. It is still there - I can see it right now.) It could have been a BF Forest Person knocking a small branch loose, since they hardly ever show themselves. Or a squirrel even LOL. Ok, so no "portals" in your histories. Good to know, for sure. If you are willing to clarify, in your Tribe's traditions, are these beings meat eaters? I am trying to sort out conflicting info from different sources. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me :)

[@moonlittome]

It's so cool seeing Uktena and Spearfinger talked about, but my personal favorite growing up was the ravenmocker

[@ChrisDragon531]

Native American Folklore has always fascinated me. Thank you for this video!

[@verylostdoommarauder]

What kind of stinks is that a lot of the folkloric creatures of Native Americans are often twisted in popular culture as "cryptids". Many of these beings are important to indigenous religious/spiritual beliefs.

[@ZeeNastee]

It's not just a Native American thing, it happens with pretty much every culture.

[@Dark_Tale_2077]

Always find it fascinating when we have creatures that seem to cross over from different parts of the world. Such as a deer woman that makes me think of a satyr. Or a snake that sounds very much like a Dragon. It really makes me wonder more about our would and the past.

[@myragroenewegen5426]

Love the idea that there is a giant horned serpent creature, with a magic hypnotizing crystal third eye and a magical, riddle-like route to being killed, whose slaying yields mystical treasures and who is guardian of the great lake for good and ill. I found the North American dragon! There's a North American Dragon y'all! People who actually know this mythology -- make the movies NOW! I will watch them obsessively! Authentic North American dragon lore! Surely there MUST be an audience for this.

[@zehlua]

It wasn't so much a dragon as it was a toxic newt

[@nicholastuckett4363]

They Will Love It

[@Hromovlad1]

The rivalry between he Uktena and Thunderbirds reminds me of the rivalry between the Slavic gods Veles (the god of forests, cattle, fertility, and the underworld - who would often take on the form of a serpent) and Perun (the god of thunder)

[@tanyanikolaevagizdova6571]

Its a common motif in folklore and myth - the serpent god of the sea or under world against the one of the skies.

[@glenndubois5136]

This was truly enjoyable. It was so good that I haven’t a favourite topic in the video, the whole video is my favourite. Thank you for doing this. Me and many others appreciate the spotlight and knowledge.

[@DreDredel3]

The skinwalker & wendigo stories are still alive today with modernday hunters encountering those creatures when out camping or staying the night in a cabin in the woods. Native Americans warn people not to speak the wendigo name out loud too often, because it tends to attract them to your location.

[@kaletovhangar]

I mean,even if you don't really believe those things exist,be realistic:Thinking or talking outloud about some negative entities in deep,dark woods doesn't really seem as good idea and could only lead to you being uneasy with even the first wolf howling you hear far out there.

[@blackeyedsusan727]

Your intonation has improved by leaps and bounds. Fantastic! Thank you for your work!

[@hoskinmage]

I would love it if you would do one on the cherokee creation myth. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! thank you for doing them

[@katmack4215]

I REALLY LOVE this channel..very well reserched,awesome content,and incredible narrator!! 😀

[@FloridaManVal]

We had native legends in Florida of glowing lights that would lure men into the swamp never to be seen again. I wonder if that could be the Uktena.

[@FloridaManVal]

@Cynical Frenchface nah I see gators daily. Yet to see a glowing one lol

[@anastasiap6253]

Will-o’-the wisp?

[@taylorgaikowski4539]

That's interesting because up on the Dakota Rez, people say they've seen strange lights in the lakes here too.

[@Princess_Celestia_]

Swamps are dangerous, they're full of "quicksand", gators and venomous snakes. The light's you're thinking of are commonly called Will-o-wisps which are just burning swamp gas that ignites under specific atmospheric conditions. These balls of fire can look like lanterns off in the distance. The curious will go to investigate these lights and find themselves falling prey to one of the many dangerous of the swamp. These "legends" exist in every state in the U.S. that has bogs, swamps and marshes. They also exist in the U.K., and other parts of the world. They are called Will-o-wisps, Will-o-the-wisps, ignis fatuus, jack-o'-lantern, friar's lantern, hinkypunk and hobby lantern just to name a few. Famous examples include Texas's Marfa Lights, Oklahoma's Joplin Spook light, St. Louis Light in Saskatchewan, Naga fireballs on the Mekong in Thailand, the Paulding Light in Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the Hessdalen light in Norway.

[@picklerick.n.666]

Yes finally:) I admire your work and awesome narration:) ❤💛❤

[@rednose3375]

One step closer to the Taino Folklore and mythology

[@lilbill7385]

What’s Taino

[@dary0097]

Iam from Puerto Rico and I would LOVE To see A Video on this topic....

[@rednose3375]

@@lilbill7385 taino are Puerto Rican natives with a pretty interesting mythology, as a taino myself I would love to see this channel covered them

[@rednose3375]

Also Jamaican, Dominican, and cuban natives too

[@cottontails9003]

Thank you so much. I really enjoy these folk lores stories. I really liked the third one.

[@ambertheangel31]

I'm cherokee and I believe spearfinger is still out there and her story is told at camp fires till this day

[@lilbill7385]

Can you do a video on Hawaiian myths?

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

These videos are great resources to any artist in search for inspiration.

[@roland5997]

I really enjoyed this episode and I definitely look forward to seeing more!

[@potatopirate5557]

I've actually heard stories from people hiking in the mountains in North Carolina describing the forest falling silent and hearing their loved one who wasn't there calling out to them from the woods, feeling watched and then hunted, running for their lives. But they all had that detail in common, hearing the distinct voice of a dearly trusted loved one calling from nowhere despite being nowhere near and never having experienced auditory hallucinations under any other circumstances. Creepy. Perhaps Spearfinger lives.

[@rafaelalodio5116]

They should’ve gone for the hand

[@cakecrumb095]

It’s so interesting to me that throughout history there have often been myths and legends that share similarities and purposes across many cultures.

[@EidanArdabor]

I didn't know about the myth of the uktena and I love dragon myths, how different cultures represent these monstrous snakes. I also didn't know about the deerwoman myth, so as always, thanks for your work.

[@vermiciousknid2456]

I think I read once a native American said the Unktena ruled the world before humans existed until the Thunderbirds defeated them. (but I could be wrong)

[@AquilaCat]

The Deer Woman is my favorite. There's just something about cheating men being trampled to death that makes me want to applaud her.

[@spardaprowess3277]

Found the feminist

[@AquilaCat]

@@spardaprowess3277 you found the one who dated a guy for nearly 7 years and discovered he had married someone else at the 5 year mark and he never bothered to divulge that information. So yes. I relate to the deer lady trampling cheating mean to death because cheating on your partner is an abhorrent thing to do, is unforgivable, and legitimately fucks up the one who was cheated on. So get out of here with your BS

[@spardaprowess3277]

@@AquilaCat ALL cheaters deserve loneliness and misery but not death that is excessive and unnecessary. Your happiness at the thought of any people being brutalized and killed is pure evil. You celebration of males victims specifically proves you hate males. And it is not BS because feminists have proven over the past 100 years with their words and actions that male suffering is their only goal. Reevaluate your fragile morality then talk about others being unpleasant.

[@AquilaCat]

@@spardaprowess3277 I'd applaud the deer woman for trampling women who cheat, too. I have absolutely zero sympathy for cheaters. They're all monsters. I support male victims of cheating and abuse. I do not support cheaters of any gender.

[@koolaidklankillers]

@@spardaprowess3277 I agree with you dude. They don't deserve death, that's just savagery and uncivilized.

[@camiloiribarren1450]

Yes!!! We don’t hear much about Native American folklore and wisdoms, so I am happy to learn more. Especially since I plan on using some for my book series

[@risboturbide9396]

Great video! Thank you for your hard work; love the wendigo!

[@davidnagore725]

The show Reservation Dogs has an episode featuring the deer woman

[@Darius_Dawkins]

Loved them all! Thank you!

[@kosu7340]

The uktena and thunderbird tale is a bit similar to Indian mythology. Here we have the Nagas and Nagaloka (underworld) they ruled. The Nagas on top of the hierarchy adorn pearls on forehead. Similarly, we have their arch enemy Garund pakshi( also called Garuda in South East asia) who defend nature from the Nagas if they try to cause havoc in surface.

[@noahn8130]

Glad you did this one :) great video once again. Unless im missing it, i think you forgot to add the link for further information on the Wendigo?

[@donovanbradford8231]

Always a fan of Wendigo stories. Also liked the Thunder Birds and Serpents

[@4263484]

I love this video, very interesting. Please continue to explore folklore and mythology from other cultures from around the world, perhaps some African or Caribbean mythical creatures next? I think my favorite creature mentioned in this video was the Deerwoman.

[@thatguyharambe8757]

Why are serpents and lightning associated on both sides of the world in myth? Why is it a thunder/lightning god/spirit always doing battle with the serpent? What does it mean?

[@colinpreston80]

I truly think it comes from something that happened early in human history.

[@anitaquick3756]

Giants and the flood mentioned in the bible.

[@SwayRod836]

@Billy Soto Mártires del Batallón de San Patricio Thor vs. Jormungandr

[@christopherkowalczyk4405]

Perun the god of thunder vs Veles a god associated with magic and the underworld in slavic mythology.

[@Saskguy20]

Such interesting coincidences all over the place.

[@LittleWelderGypsy]

My favorite was the Deer Woman. I hadn't heard of such a thing in my life until now. Thank you for sharing.

[@mikaylawilliams4273]

It’s funny when outsiders call Skinwalkers “legends”, “myth” and “folklore”… when you live in the Navajo reservation and know this. It’s ain’t no “myth” or ghost time story; it’s reality. But interesting video though 👍🏽

[@lilbill7385]

Out of every legend in the world, the skinwalker is the only one I believe exist

[@maymay5600]

Every myth and legend are facts and true events high time people stop calling them myths, cause they ain't for sure

[@Exodus26.13Pi]

My brother waited 25 years to tell me he saw a Sasquatch. Lake DeGray Arkansas 1991

[@maymay5600]

@@Exodus26.13Pi aw damn, how terrified was he?

[@Exodus26.13Pi]

@@maymay5600 he heard a noise while half asleep and when he opened his eyes it was looking at him through the net at the top of the tent. Hairy face, bluish eyes and he thought it was a homeless man or a demon. They locked eyes for less that a few seconds and it left. He was left dumbfounded.

[@vallgron]

If you ever do a episode on irish myths there loads of lesser known monsters and myths that never get talked about even here in Ireland so if you can deep dive into it

[@SophiaAnchieta]

Indigenous folklore deserved a commemorative feast like halloween . The tales and stories of how they related to nature and the unknown is very fascinating: the monsters, the gods, the protectors, the mythological animals, Everything is amazing and interesting . I love the fact that the set of these stories has managed to survive time being preserved from generations and generations.

[@Kat_the_Rat_]

My high school’s mascot/theme is the Thunderbird. I suppose it follows along the rest of my town’s high schools themes. Thunderbirds, Indians, and Bison.

[@emilybowne6043]

I liked the deer woman, very similar to the horse woman in parts of south America. I enjoyed the video 😁

[@Princess_Celestia_]

4:37 Finally, someone talking about skinwalks who actually did their research and knows what they are talking about.

[@punishedVIPER]

I've always liked the story of the thunderbird since i was a kid.

[@davidhunt8685]

Grew up with Cherokee and Appalachian stories. Great video

[@Sentientsword]

Great video; it was very informative. Thank you.

[@nancyM1313]

Thanks for uploading today's video. Can't wait to hear you when MANSCAPE sponsors your next upcoming video.🐾🕺🐾

[@ILLTAKEAPIKACHU]

A parallel good be drawn between the thunderbirds and the Uktena and the Great Eagle and Nidhogr from Norse mythos

[@jerryyager2601]

This is a great channel. Can't wait to dig in.

[@chavazthenative2255]

When i lived on the Cherokee reservation in the Appalachian mountains it was sometimes scary as a kid. I use to have nightmares of spear finger coming to get me and she would take my life every time. The little people are another story we were told and i seen them too.

[@robbabcock_]

Fascinating as always!

[@LunaP1]

I remember hearing a story (urban legend) wear a kid was snatched by a thunderbird and was found later alive elsewhere.

[@katiehorton5507]

yes. many stories of even women being taken by thunderbird only to become his wife and bear children it was not a scary story. others are. i heard that there are good and bad thunderbird beings. also thunderbird is my spirit helper and i have him tattooed on my arm. I'm from the pnw myself.

[@JanJan-gy7qp]

This is a fantastic channel! I will be watching it all. Back when I was in high school in 1980s one of my favourite subjects was classical studies which only covered Greek mythology. I’ve enjoyed each story you told here, especially about the wendigo as I’ve heard a lot about them in other folk lore tales. Your channel is my newest subscription so thanks from Bonnie Scotland.

[@AriThecraftydragon]

The various mythological creatures are interesting. The Thunderbird seems to be related to the Roc. The Deer Woman seems to be like the American Satyrs which are darker than the Greek Satyrs. Thanks for the interesting Lores.

[@treelyiness5549]

I loved the deer lady and I’m inspired to create my own visual version of her !

[@Cassie-oe8iu]

Hay you should do a video on Australian myths and legends please 😉

[@nirvanah2029]

I remember one night I went for a walk, I always walk at night so it was a normal. I get like 5 minutes into the woods and I see this black dog with red eyes. I immediately was confused 😕 my brain was trying to process why the dogs eyes were red yet it’s like I was stuck. I then hear something walking from the opposite direction and I could only see it’s red eyes and white fur. This scared me, I ran home so fast 💨 only to look back and there was nothing. I debated should I go back or if my mind was playing tricks on me. I felt the energy I knew It was real. I never go for a walk at night alone anymore .. weirdest experience I can’t explain of my life.

[@moonshadow6019]

The thunderbird and the skin walker are monsters. The thunderbird is a monster of the two twin heroes. For the skin walker has weakness, you need to say their birth names to kill other skin walker. I'm a Navajo.

[@KimmelSlavko]

Your pronunciation 👍 and pace is just perfect for non-native speakers to understand all around the world. 😊😁👏👏👏

[@jessicat3507]

My favorite is the deer woman thank you for making this love this stuff 😊

[@PalmettoNDN]

Chickasaw/Cherokee here. Thanks for your video. I also want to point out that Algonquin speaking tribes lived as far south as Georgia.

[@ClipCoyote]

Eagles unlike any other bird will fly in storms. Ancient people seeing them in association with lightning and thunder makes that one of my favorites.

[@Amy_the_Lizard]

Any bird will fly in a storm if it's desperate enough, but it's true that most will try to avoid it if at all possible

[@christophergoldshot9028]

The Thunderbird is described as having pinions the size of canoes it wings are massive and with each wingbeat it sounds thunder when it blinks it's eyes it's flashes with great light.

[@heliosgnosis2744]

Black in color and appearance of a raven also which is curious given historical accounts and all tribal histories that do exist still in this day.

[@manuelsalvatierra2940]

El Nahual from central Mexico, tlaxcala that I know, is a shape-shifting creature human

[@hanzohattori5980]

Thanks you mythology &fiction explained for the video 💥👍👍💥 also my favorite part was deer women

[@nov1q]

A video I'd love to see is one on the Ijiraq.

[@desmondrivera8083]

Thank you for this video, my Father is Apache/Yaqui, please do a video on Polynesian myth and legend

[@wasteyelo1]

Spearfinger is a good one, I'd never heard of it.

[@brianmarek6159]

Haven't heard of some of these b4, you missed "THE FLOATING HEADS" THOUGH, I learned of them just a few months ago myself. Thx great show

[@kryoruleroftheninthcircleo4151]

Me, a Tennessean with the Spear-Finger story: 👀 Also I wonder if she was part of the inspiration for Anna the Huntress in Dead by Daylight. Think about it. She dwells in the forests while humming and kills people.

[@viktorclark1674]

I have Cherokee and sioux in me, love the video. Thx for doing native American folklore. Awesome job

[@dominicfuentes4070]

Puedes hacer Folklore Mexicano en otro video? Tiene famosas historias de fantasmas y leyendas en Mexico.

[@jasonnnsaurus822]

Wow! I had no idea that this is where the Wendigo originated from. Stonefinger sounds absolutely horrifying. Thanks for putting this together! Very interesting!

[@bethany4986]

I was hoping to see the Ciguapa Of the Taino people native to Dominican Republic//Puerto Rico