Spirits Dark and Light: Supernatural Tales from the Five Civilized Tribes

by Tim Tingle

Book of the Year in the Popular Culture category Finalist and Storytelling World Award Winner In the Native American tradition, a strong connection exists between the spirit world and the natural world. What happens in one has direct and often reciprocal impact on the other. In this collection, Choctaw storyteller Tim Tingle draws from the rich heritage of the Five Civilized Tribes – the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole nations – and brings tales from the spirit world into our world. These spine-tingling stories not only entertain but provide a window into the native customs and beliefs of these still-vital communities. In "Eagle Slayer," calamity befalls a Cherokee village when one member violates tradition. The Seminole story "Hungry for Meat" illustrates the premium the once-migratory people place on respecting the remains of the dead – and the penalty for doing otherwise. And the Creek story "Two Friends" takes a horrifying twist on the teaching that we be true to trying to be something else violates the natural order and brings a lifetime of pain and isolation. Owls, rabbits, deer, eagles – all of these spirits and more are here, shifting shapes in dizzying sequence and illuminating the values, beliefs, hopes and fears still embraced by the Five Civilized Tribes. These Native American stories will teach readers the importance of courage, resourcefulness and respect.

Genres: Native American, Short Stories

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2006

About the author

Tim Tingle, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is a popular presenter at storytelling and folklore festivals across America. He was featured at the 2002 National Storytelling Festival. In 2004, he was a Teller-In-Residence at The International Storytelling Center, Jonesborough, Tennessee. Choctaw Chief Gregory Pyle has requested a story by Tingle previous to his Annual State of the Nation Address at the Choctaw Labor Day Gathering--a celebration that attracts over thirty thousand people-- from 2002 to the present.

Reviews

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good grief, why isn't this book more popular? Here's a short review by Beverly Slapin that describes why these MG short stories are so splendid: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/search?q=%22Spirits+Dark+and+Light

[Random Scholar · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of these stories are pretty disturbing. Then again, that's nothing compared to what most kids are exposed to from social media these days. I think this book would be best for students in high school or older simply because of all the gory violence. Nearly every story has a brutal murder. Another common theme is transformation. Almost all of these stories feature a human morphing into an animal or bird of some kind. Due to the graphic nature of these stories I wouldn't recommend them to anyone younger than 15. These stories can be great to learn more about popular Native American tales but they should be reserved for a more mature audience.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-told!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: 10-15 years

An excellent folktale book written by a reliable, Choctaw storyteller. Before each tribe's stories are shared, there is a brief introduction of their spiritual existence. This gives an excellent base for understanding the stories to follow. An excellent primary source for research.
This would be good for an experienced storyteller because the stories read more like fiction. Telling these would also require lots of research if you are not part of the cultures represented.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate how Tingle can take a scrap of folklore and turn it into a tellable tale. Really enjoyed learning about indigenous shapeshifters, evil spirits, and things that go bump in the night.

[Tara Lynn Tanner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am missing Breadloaf this summer, trying to get back some Santa Fe vibrations....