Myths and Tales of the Chiricahua Apache Indians

by Morris E. Opler

"We are dealing here with a living literature," wrote Morris Edward Opler in his preface to Myths and Tales of the Chiricahua Apache Indians. First published in 1942 by the American Folk-Lore Society, this is another classic study by the author of Myths and Tales of the Jicarilla Apache Indians. Opler conducted field work among the Chiricahuas in the American Southwest, as he had earlier among the Jicarillas. The result is a definitive collection of their myths. They range from an account of the world destroyed by water to descriptions of puberty rites and wonderful contests. The exploits of culture heroes involve the slaying of monsters and the assistance of Coyote. A large part of the book is devoted to the irrepressible Coyote, whose antics make cautionary tales for the young, tales that also allow harmless expression of the taboo. Other striking stories present supernatural beings and "foolish people."

Genres: Native American, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published December 28, 1994

Reviews

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book of stories collected in the 1930s from members of the Chiricahua Apache tribe; about half the book consists of Coyote stories. The prose quality, as is often the case with collections of oral folklore, is probably a bit too rough for most general readers; transcribe the words of an oral storyteller onto paper, with none of the "performance" aspects of storytelling preserved, and what you're left with often makes unappetizing reading. This is mostly a book for people with a specific interest.

Specialists won't find this to be one of the most "pure" collections of Native folklore; there are a few too many stories here which have clearly been influenced by contact with white culture, including Biblical stories. Folklore is fluid, though, and reflects the changing needs and circumstances of its culture. Such stories have their place.

[Charles Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading myths and tales ... interesting.